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Champions League review Posted On 03 June 2019

UEFA Champions

Liverpool to extend Klopp’s contract after Champions League triumph in Madrid

On a sweltering evening in Madrid on Saturday, Liverpool beat Tottenham to overtake Bayern Munich and Barcelona to become the third top team with the most Champions League wins. They have now won the competition six times, just one behind AC Milan.

The game itself never became the spectacle of English football in its prime it was hoped to be. Liverpool were poor throughout, and until Divock Origi’s goal in the dying minutes, it looked as though the penalty tucked away by Salah in the 2nd minute would win the game.

If Tottenham ever had a chance to win the Champions League, this was the night, but with an out-of-sorts Harry Kane leading the line, they lacked a focal point up front, and even with 66.6% possession and eight shots on target they couldn’t find a way past the excellent Alisson in goal.

Pochettino must wonder what could have been if he hadn’t rushed Kane back into the first team and stuck with hat-trick hero Lucas Moura. The penalty was unlucky but fair, and it could have killed off most teams before they even started, but this Tottenham team, after walking on hot coals as preparation for the final, refocused and carried on like it hadn’t happened.

But, it looked as though the heat in Madrid had an effect, with the players of both teams looking exhausted after just 30 minutes. It was a game that lacked pace and fire and there wasn’t a single card shown to either team, something unheard of in this age of modern football.

As poor as Liverpool were, Spurs just couldn’t find the creativity needed and except for a couple of fine saves by Alisson in the final 20 minutes, Liverpool looked comfortable and never under that much pressure. With Van Dijk and Matip at the back and Alisson in goal, this is a Liverpool team with a dazzling future who deserved their win.

Tottenham did excellently to get to the final; however, their squad looks thin when compared to other top six teams. Liverpool could turn to the likes of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge from the bench if needed, while Tottenham could only rely on Fernando Llorente, Eric Dier and Michel Vorm.

Now the Champions League is finished it will be an interesting summer for both clubs; Tottenham need to bulk their squad with first team players while trying to keep hold of Eriksen, Alderweireld and Kane, whereas Liverpool are Champions League winners with top players now clambering over themselves to join Klopp’s revolution.

The aim for Liverpool now is domestic glory, using the Champions League win as a catalyst – they have to be favourites for next year’s Premier League title before any transfers even take place – and with Klopp expected to sign a new contract, they could dominate for years.

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