The Reds have competed in every game that was available to them this season, advancing all the way to the championship match in each of the three knockout competitions. At this point, their primary goal is to win the Europa League in addition to the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. After Manchester City's dramatic victory in the Premier League title game, Liverpool's hopes of winning the quadruple have been dashed, but the Champions League is much more than just a consolation prize.
The team coached by Jurgen Klopp will take on Real Madrid in a rematch of the championship game from 2018, and they will be hoping for a very different result. That must seem like a long time ago to Welshman Gareth Bale, who will be leaving Spain this summer after spending the past four years playing for Real Madrid and scoring twice in their 3-1 victory.
It has been an extraordinary run all the way to the final for the LaLiga champions, who have had multiple opportunities where it appeared virtually inevitable that they would be eliminated. This was the situation in the semi-final match against Manchester City, where Rodrygo scored two goals in the closing minute of regulation to force extra time, where Karim Benzema completed the victory.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid team news
The Reds will be hoping against hope that both Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara will be available for the championship game. While the former is dealing with an ailment to their hamstring, the latter suffered an Achilles injury during their match against the Wolves.
Nonetheless, Fabinho and Thiago were pronounced fit to travel out for the match on Friday afternoon. Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah should both return to the lineup.
Klopp stated on Friday that the team's mood is "very upbeat" and that they are "really happy to be here."
"Obtaining a sense of the stadium and setting.
"Thiago and Fabinho appear to be in excellent shape. Fabinho has trained normally, Thiago trained with the team yesterday and will train with the team again today, and then we'll decide."
Alphonsus Odumu 5 d
UCL final