Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will face off for the first time in a Champions League final this Saturday, in what might be a cagey game.
The last time Spurs and Liverpool played in Europe was back in the 1972-73 season, when the two English teams faced off in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, a game Liverpool won on away goals and then went on to beat Borussia Mönchengladbach in the final.
Spurs have more injury worries than Liverpool heading into the final, as the likes of Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sánchez, and Harry Winks aren’t at their fittest, but could make a return.
For Liverpool, Naby Keita has been ruled out of the match, but striker Roberto Firmino will return to the team for the all-important game.
Where could the 2018-19 Champions League final be won or lost? Let’s find out:
Mohamed Salah vs Danny Rose
Mohamed Salah is one of Liverpool’s most important players but he’s been guilty of not stepping up in big games at times this season, which is a criticism that has been levelled at him time and again.
If Liverpool are to really cause trouble to Spurs, they will need Salah on the ball, taking on Spurs left-back Danny Rose, and going into central areas to drag the English left-back there to create space for Liverpool’s right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold can overlap and cause trouble down the right. It will be interesting to see how Rose deals with Salah.
Midfield battle
It remains to be seen if Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino persists with a back 5 rather than a 4-man defence in the final against Liverpool.
Pochettino has used the 5-man defence in Europe and has reaped rewards, but could he switch to a 4-man defence to nullify Liverpool’s threat?
If Pochettino does move to a four-man defence, he could push Dele Alli closer to Spurs’ centre-forwards which will make him a threat when playing between the lines.
The biggest battle will be between the three midfielders of each side in the middle of the park. Both teams have players who can tackle and dispossess the opposition as well as the guile and speed to move the ball forward quickly.
Christian Eriksen will be one of the most important players in the midfield area as he can change the game on its head with his passing.
Lucas Moura vs Joel Matip
Lucas Moura was the star for Spurs during their incredible comeback in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in Ajax as his second half hat-trick helped Spurs reach the final.
Moura could once again be a threat, especially if he comes up against Joel Matip, who isn’t the quickest player on the pitch.
If Moura gets up against Matip with his directness and dribbling, he could cause trouble in the final third. Another area where Moura might be called in is to stop Matip from making his forays from the back.
The Cameroonian has built a good reputation of bringing the ball out from the back, and that’s where Moura needs to apply the pressure.
