UEFA Champions League – Real Madrid-Liverpool – Champions League final preview: Real Madrid v Liverpool

  • Real Madrid aiming for third straight triumph
  • Liverpool are top scorers with a record 46 goals
  • Game is at same venue as UEFA EURO 2012 final

LIVE FINAL BUILD-UP

Possible line-ups

Watch all Ronaldo’s goals this season

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrić, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema
Out: none
Doubtful: none

Liverpool: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah
Out: Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee ligaments), Gomez (ankle), Matip (thigh)
Doubtful: Emre Can (back)

Reporters’ views

Joe Walker, Real Madrid (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Well, once again Madrid are here. The UEFA Champions League final seems to be a date they have circled in the diary every year and once more they may believe it is their destiny to lift the trophy for an unprecedented 13th time. Zinédine Zidane has a selection dilemma up top – Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema? – but whoever isn’t given the nod isn’t a bad option to bring on, either.

Mo Salah's Liverpool quiz

Mo Salah’s Liverpool quiz

Matthew Howarth, Liverpool (@UEFAcomMattH)
Jürgen Klopp’s troops have no reason to fear Real Madrid. The Merengues may have big-game experience on their side, but Liverpool’s irrepressible front three are capable of inflicting serious damage on the holders. If the Reds can show the defensive steel that served them so well over two legs against Manchester City in the quarters, they might just crown this remarkable campaign with a sixth European Cup.

What the coaches say

Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid coach
This will probably be the hardest final we’ve ever had to play. We will have to be at our very best – we know that – and on all levels, not just physical. They’re an English team, so they will never give up, but they don’t just rely on their physical attributes. Liverpool are also good technically, with a lot of speed and great individual players.

Madrid and Liverpool's previous meetings

Madrid and Liverpool’s previous meetings

Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
There are many reasons why we are where we are right now, and I’m immensely proud of what the boys have achieved. We aren’t anyone else. We are Liverpool, on the way to becoming a really good team, and performing at such a high level is very cool. It’s been a crazy ride but, after all, we’ve earned our place here.

Where to watch

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here

Fantasy Football top points-scorers

Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo, forward (88 points, €12.9m)
Liverpool: Roberto Firmino, forward (86 points, €9.7m)

MAKE YOUR FANTASY CHANGES

Form guide

Ramos watches back his 2014 and 2016 final goals

Ramos watches back his 2014 and 2016 final goals

Most recent game
19/05: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid (Martínez 70, Castillejo 85; Bale 11, Ronaldo 32)
13/05: Liverpool 4-0 Brighton (Salah 26, Lovren 40, Solanke 53, Robertson 85)

Last ten games (most recent first)
Madrid: DWLDDWWDWL
Liverpool: WLLDWDWWDW

Did you know?

  • Ronaldo could become the first player to win this competition five times in the UEFA Champions League era.
  • Klopp has lost his last five major finals as a manager.
  • Sergio Ramos helped Spain win UEFA EURO 2012 at this same stadium.

For more like this, check out our extensive match background.

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