21 May 2018 13:45:36
Despite playing a 4-2-3-1 in our last game, I think Klopp will go back to his trusted 4-3-3 for the UCL Final. And if that is the case, I think a key game-defining matchup will be whom of Milner/ Lallana end up playing against the Kroos and Modric duo. I expect Hendo and Wijnaldum to play a more defensive position and game in relation to Milner/ Lallana, and this player's ability to close down Kroos/ Modric and drive enough through balls to the front 3, will define crucial aspects of the game. The ideal scenario in fact. One has been injured for most of the season, started only one game (Lallana) and is supposedly on the way out. The other (Milner) has put in a hardworking, impactful season and may yet be playing his last game for LFC if he decides to move elsewhere in the summer. Perfect night to be a hero (or zero 😉) .

The other matchup I am very curious about is the Salah/ Marcelo one. Which one of the two will sacrifice his usual game and put in a more defensive effort?

I just can't wait for the game.

1.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 14:31:53
seeing how Salah is not a defender I would go with Marcelo and this is where the game could be won or lost as his defending is awful at times
I personally think Roberston against Carvajal is a more interesting contest as both like to get forward and both can defend but who will outshine who on the night?

2.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 14:33:15
Wouldn't want to second guess the specifics of Klopps tactics, but I'd be shocked if he varied from the tactics and setup that got us here. I think the formation change in the final game was partly due to losing Milner for the match but also just trialing things to make sure we had a decent backup plan.

3.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 14:00:16
Personally I'm hoping it's Milner who starts out of the two. I can't wait to see Salah run rings around Marcelo, he's going to have a field day, I find the thought of it quite hilarious to be honest. Saturday can't come quick enough.

4.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 15:01:16
Klopp might try and isolate Marcello, and get a one on one with Salah, or he free up Mane, either way, we have a great chance to score a couple of goals,
its how many real madrid score,
but, for me,
I am going for a Liverpool win .

5.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 15:06:23
Actually hjikle, if we find ourself to be behind at the 60 minute mark, I wouldn't be against going all out for the 4-2-3-1 by taking Wijnaldum off, shifting Milner back to defensive midfield and bringing on Solanke to play ahead of the front 3. Ramos may be their captain but I've seen him lose his head and commit mistakes when unsettled. Solanke may be perfect for it with his aerial ability, or even just be a foil to drag the CBs off and open up spaces for the others.

6.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 15:38:33
I suspect we’ll go with a 4-3-3 and Hendo, Milner and Gini pressing aggressively in midfield to put pressure on RM and cut out the quality service into their front 3. I also expect Firmino to put a lot of pressure on Casemiro to try trigger turnovers. Any mistakes in possession and we’ll be all over them.

Our biggest danger IMO will be Bale or Ronaldo and those diagonal balls in behind our FBs. The other concern will be if Marcelo and Ronaldo try team up on Trent. How Gini moves across to support him will be critical to preventing Real Madrid getting in behind the defence.

7.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 15:53:04
Honestly Real Madrid should play a pragmatic and disciplined game, we have struggled against that style all season so they could easily frustrate us and hurt us on the break. Of course with the arrogance and expectance of the whole brand of Real Madrid, they wont.

Klopp will have the players fired up no doubt for a ferocious start on the press. let's hope it doesn't result in something stupid happening due to the over exuberance, particulary Milner and Robbo are a bit susceptible to this. The technical players of Madrid are certainly capable of passing right through our press if they are at the races so it could hurt us. However, they couldn't cope with the superior energy of Bayern, in fact they looked absolutely exhausted so that will be an interesting aspect

Also noteworthy is our performance vs Man City away, for 25 mins they were irresistible in attack, the movement was fantastic and their ability to pick the passes to create the chances they did was equally impressive. We were able at that time to get in the last ditch blocks that were needed, so we do have that in us. Personally I would say that Real are not even close to how City played in that period.

Having said that Madrid have done this before and they do have World Class players who at any second can click together and score. Granted they have been less impressive this season, but the Champions league final may just bring out the best in them.

Now, when Real Madrid attack even Marcelo and Ramos will be in our third of the pitch, they leave an enormous gap between attack and defense so if they can't get the final ball right, or if we are capable of nicking it off them, then the counter will be on. Sadio Mane can glide past any player they have, and I expect that will come into play on the night, but will he make the correct choice in front of goal and put it on a plate for a team mate if he has the chance?

These are the kind of fine margins that can define a final, but I doubt anyone would believe there will only be 1 goal in this. It should be a fine fast paced game thoroughly enjoyable for all unlike the trash served to us by the FAcup final. All I want is for us to leave the game with no regrets, and no atrocious gamechanging decisions by the referee.

Whatever happens it's a good time to be a red. YNWA.

8.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 16:13:28
Milner will get the nod over Lallana, easy one that.

I suspect salah will be as high up as possible and Marcelo will be ordered to stay back and defend, it would be suicide to let him go off on one of his usual tangents, I don’t think he’s a good defender and will suffer unless someone else is helping out.

I suspect we will have to put the game beyond doubt by the 75th minute though, we tire after that and Madrid will take full advantage by pushing everyone forward near the end.
I can’t see us surviving extra time if it goes that far, Madrid will pop up with a goal, we need to hit them hard and hit them fast from the first minute and keep going then defend like crazy in the last 15 mins.

9.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 16:48:19
Agreed Mikey. The best thing that could happen to us is what has worked for us throughout the UCL campaign - come out of the blocks fast, put in at least 1 or 2 into the back of the net in the first 30 minutes, then have the opponent wondering how to break through for equalisers, thus making more mistakes and take in more goals. I just really hope we don't see that Godawful back 3 formation at the end of the match. I hope Klopp takes off one of the front 3, and puts in an extra midfielder, instead of pushing a defender up into midfield.

10.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 16:56:38
Milner deserves to start. He's had a fantastic champions league. That said, guys, don't forget how good lallana is. He is an amazing am and I can see him making an appearance.

11.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 17:30:29
Lallana is not “amazing” why we are replacing him this summer! What has he done in 5 years that people are all over their seat? How many times has Ed01 said that he doesn’t fit in with our style of play! Lallana is bang average who has scored less than Pedro and Willian.

12.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 20:10:39
OP, Lallana (nor Can for that matter), will not be starting vs RM so there is that. Klopp said he has not changed anything in terms or tactics or preparations so why would he change his line up for the final? The midfield 3 will be the same as always (Milly, Hendo and Wiji with Wiji the furthest forward) and the 4-3-3 will be the system we go with at first. Now for me, RM has a BIG problem or 2.

First, Marcelo is not used to defending and frankly, he can't so they don't ask him to do that. He normally attacks and creates overloads on the left side of the RM attack. NOW, he will have to defend vs the beast called MO and frankly, RM don't want that. Forcing Marcelo to actually defend will be a nightmare for RM. This is one unfavorable match-up for them.

Second problem, the trio of Casemiro, Ramos and Varane have NEVER faced a CF like Bobbie, one who is a true pest, a warrior who NEVER stops and forces mistakes, turnovers hence chances and goals. Those are two things that bode well for us going into Sat.