First and foremost, if you are wondering when you can catch this clash between Liverpool and Tottenham, look no further. The match will take place on Saturday, June 1st at 3:00PM Eastern Time. Adventurous and looking to make the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid to watch in-person? The lowest priced ticket is currently running at the low low price of $4,600 on StubHub. Only a tiny bit of money.
Let us tackle this preview by breaking down the two squads individually, including their recent runs of performance, injury concerns, and possible tactics heading into the Final in Madrid, culminating in some staff predictions.
Liverpool
Under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp and led by the deadly trio of Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah, and Sadio Mane, Liverpool have made their return to the Final of this completion once again. Last year's trip to Kiev saw them go down to three-peat champions, Real Madrid, in a hotly contested 3-1 match. This year, Liverpool will not only look to make up for their loss to Ronaldo and Co., but also will need to compensate for losing out on the Premier League title once again to Manchester City. This team is disciplined, loaded in all positions on the pitch, and has experience under the bright lights of a Final, having them poised to take this trophy home come June 1st.
Recent Run
The Reds have been nothing short of phenomenal all year long, managing to only lose one game in their last twenty-three competitions which happened to be at the hands of Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou in the semifinal's first leg (3-0). Domestically, Liverpool have dominated as well, losing only one game throughout their entire campaign and drawing seven, resulting in ninety-seven total points. While their Premier League run still resulted in a second place finish to Manchester City, this team was nothing short of unstoppable in the 2018/2019 season.
Lately, Liverpool have maintained their superiority as well, pulling results such as 2-0 against Wolves, 4-0 against Barcelona (still unbelievable), 3-2 against Newcastle, and 5-0 versus Huddersfield.
Winning, winning, and more winning…just not the EPL title.
Injury Concerns & Starting XI
Heading into the Final, Liverpool's biggest concerns lie within their attack and the health of Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino. Salah is currently sidelined with a concussion that was suffered on May 4th in a 3-2 victory over Newcastle. Klopp has remained optimistic about his return, but head injuries always come with a sense of uneasiness and doubt. As for Firmino, he has struggled to maintain his health throughout this season. His most recent knock came in the form of a small muscle tear suffered in training the week of the second leg of the Barcelona matchup, ultimately forcing him off in the 73rdminute of that semifinal game. All signs point to Firmino being back at 100%, but with prolonged concerns continuing this season, every report should be taken with a grain of salt. Another blow to Liverpool's depth comes in the midfield, as Naby Keita will be out for the next two months with a "high grade abductor injury", sidelining him for the UCL Final and his upcoming AFCON games as well. While Keita has not been as integral to the starting eleven as some would have hoped this season, losing him for the matchup against Tottenham is still a loss of depth in a midfield that already struggles to keep up with the rest of the squad. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also still continues to see struggles in regaining fitness as he returns from his major knee injury sustained last year, projecting as a non-factor for this match.
Projected Starting XI: Mane, Firmino, Salah, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson, Roberston, Matip, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Alisson
Tactics and Strategy
It is very rare to watch a Liverpool match and not see this side in complete control. While Klopp remains extremely flexible in the way this squad can line up against any given team, the utilization of a controlled press, disciplined positioning, and well-organized defense allows the Reds to pretty much do as they please any time they step on to the pitch.
The conversation around Liverpool's dominant nature begins and ends with one man, Virgil Van Djik. The Dutch defender's powerful presence in the back line enables fullbacks such as Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold to push high up the pitch and join in the attack on a consistent basis. While Klopp has struggled to keep a strong co-centerback next to Van Djik, this strategy has resulted in Robertson netting thirteen assists across all competitions this year and Alexander-Arnold with 16. With defensive minded Fabinho often dropping further back as well and pairing with the two center backs, the threat of two extra attackers aiding down the wings proves to be deadly for Liverpool.
Another game-changing force in this starting eleven comes in the form of half-striker/half number ten, Roberto Firmino, an irreplaceable part of this team. Possessing extremely high work rates both in attack and defense, enables Klopp to deploy an absolute work horse in his front attacking line, providing a level of effort that cannot be replicated by almost anyone across the globe. Firmino's drop back and ambitious style of play as a false nine allows wingers Sadio Mane and Mo Salah more room to work in the attacking third of the pitch, freeing up and creating more goal-scoring chances. Part time midfield. Part time striker. Full time work horse. Firmino is indispensable to what Liverpool is able to do on and off the ball.
Needless to say, anything less than a victory for the Reds come June 1st will result in a failed season as the aura of trophy-less Liverpool would live on.
Spurs
Unlike their counterparts in this match, Tottenham's presence in the Champion's League Final is seen as a total over-achievement. For a squad whose summer and winter transfers this season equaled a grand total of zero and who have struggled with fitness throughout their campaign, this arrival in the Final is a case of over-performing by a mile. Spurs' captain and England's golden boy, Harry Kane, has been underwhelming all season, while relatively new star players such as Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura have stepped up in a big way up front.
Recent Run
Also unlike their opponents, Tottenham have been everything except for hot as of late, struggling to pick up domestic points against such teams as Bournemouth, West Ham, and Manchester City. Overall, Spurs finished the Premier League season with only three wins in their last twelve game. Sickening. Despite their poor form in England however, this squad has pulled some serious magic out of their hat when it comes to the Champions League, beating the likes of Dortmund (domestic bottlers), Manchester City ($), and Ajax (formerly known as the team of destiny). While not performing in the Premier League, this team has stepped up when it matters, a quality that puts them in place to make anything happen come June 1St.
Injury Concerns and Starting XI
This squad has struggled with overall fitness throughout their 2018/2019 campaign, but when it comes to the Final in Madrid all eyes turn to the health of Harry Kane. After sustaining an ankle injury in Tottenham's UCL first leg victory over Manchester City on April 9th, the English striker has found himself cemented on the sidelines as his team has manufactured their miracle run. Speculation and reports around the team suggest that Kane could be approaching 100% health and possibly looking to suit up for the Final on June 1st, but does Pochettino want to risk his star striker's long term health and overall team chemistry? If Kane is slotted into the starting eleven that would also more than likely result in either Lucas Moura or Heung-Min Son being relegated to the bench. Who sits? Who starts?
Projected Starting XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Rose, Wanyama, Eriksen, Dele, Lucas, Son
Tactics and Strategy
Tottenham could be in for a long day when coming up against this Liverpool side. With a team that struggles to maintain possession, handle the press, and lacks pressure along the wings, Spurs are in a golden position to be completely exposed by Jurgen Klopp in Madrid.
With their usual formation, fullbacks such as Keiran Trippier and Danny Rose are pushed further up the pitch, creating a three in the back defense that relies heavily upon the strength and fortitude of their centerbacks. Utilizing this strategy, Pochettino hopes to create a wider and more present force when going forward, enabling the pace of Son and Moura up top with through balls and over the top passes from the fullbacks. While this often results in some wide open gaps being exposed in a sleeping defense, it does come back to bite them in their midfield. Relying on only three midfielders and two straggling fullbacks, leaves the squad victim to losing the possession game and being passed to death as Ajax displayed through both legs in the semi-final. Not being able to keep possession and consistently having to chase the ball in the midfield often leaves this team at the mercy of their opponents and never in control of proceedings.
While Liverpool does lack quality in their midfield, they specialize in the possession game, know how to sling the ball around the pitch, and when to appropriately apply pressure, potentially creating some huge problems for this Tottenham side.
This team's success and failure come June 1st will rely upon their performance up top, resting on the shoulders of Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son. If these two are unable to find the back of the net against Alisson, Spurs will be at the absolute mercy of one of the deadliest attacks in all of Europe. Liverpool's attack cannot be contained, so in order to stay in this match Tottenham will need to find and capitalize upon every chance they get. This trophy looks to be ripe for the taking for Jurgen Klopp's squad, but Spurs have relied upon magic and miracles all tournament long to get them here, don't be surprised if they have one more up their sleeve.
Predictions
Brian: Winner: Spurs; Scoreline:1-0
Eddie: Winner: Liverpool; Scoreline: 3-1
Jack: Winner: Spurs; Scoreline: 3-2
written and edited by Jack Kurtz
