Tottenham vs. Liverpool: 2019 Champions League Final

Tottenham hotspur vs. Liverpool: 2019 Champions League Final 

English supporters will descend on Madrid on Saturday, with the UEFA Champions League final to be played at the Wanda Metropolitano between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

It's the first time since 2008 that the showpiece is an all-Premier-League affair, and both teams will feel it's their destiny to go all the way in the Spanish capital after their dramatic runs to the final.

Liverpool recovered from a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the semi-finals, winning 4-0 in the return game at Anfield. A day later, Tottenham Hotspur fought back from a three-goal aggregate disadvantage, scoring three times in the second half at Ajax to progress, with Lucas Moura completing his hat-trick deep into injury time.

Team News & Tactics

Tottenham Hotspur

Mauricio Pochettino does not have any major concerns to deal with ahead of the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool. But, the Tottenham Hotspur boss is sweating over the fitness of Harry Kane.

The England captain’s has been a season marred by ankle injuries and has been out since mid-April with a ligament injury. But, having joined the group for first-team training last week, Kane has been building his fitness up, with Pochettino indicating that he is progressing quite well.

While the decision over his involvement is likely to be left till Saturday itself, his importance to the side means Kane ought to return to the starting lineup to face Liverpool. The English striker’s return means a subtle shift in the style of play, with Son Heung-min and the hat-trick hero against Ajax, Lucas Moura manning the wide areas.

The two wingers though, will be expected to overload the half spaces behind Kane, with Dele Alli also exploiting such areas. Christian Eriksen should thus, be deployed in a slightly withdrawn role, from where he will look to pull the strings while also having more defensive responsibilities.

Moussa Sissoko ought to line up alongside him in the middle of the park, with the Frenchman being the workhorse of the Tottenham side. Part of the attacking impetus will also be provided by the full-backs, Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose, who will aim to exploit the spaces left vacant by their marauding counterparts.

Trippier though, ought to perform better on the defensive front than he did against Ajax and generally has been over the course of the season, especially with both Andrew Robertson and Sadio Mane set to provide the threat on his side.

The two centre-backs, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will look to help out the full-backs on their side, with the threat of Mane and Mohamed Salah lurking. The two Liverpool wide men will be aiming to overload the central areas left vacant by Roberto Firmino, should he start.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Eriksen; Lucas, Alli, Son; Kane

Liverpool

A Kane-like situation is also prevalent at Liverpool, with Roberto Firmino working hard to shrug off a groin injury that has affected the final month of the season for him. Like Kane though, Firmino is expected to be fit enough to return to the starting lineup, reprising his false nine role.

In case Firmino is not match fit, Divock Origi, one of the heroes and the tie clincher for Liverpool against Barcelona, will start once again. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will be Firmino’s partners in the final third, with the duo looking to constantly veer infield.

The only confirmed absentee for Liverpool comes from the midfield department, with Naby Keita out with a thigh injury that will sideline him till the pre-season. The three spots will thus, be contested by Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner.

Fabinho is an absolute certainty to start in a role he has made his own, screening the defence while keeping an eye on Dele Alli. Jordan Henderson has been a revelation since being deployed in a more advanced role than usual and he will reprise it once again.

Wijnaldum too, is nailed on after a series of impressive performances this season, meaning Milner misses out. At the back, there are unlikely to be any changes, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson picking themselves as the two full-backs.

At the heart of the Liverpool defence, Virgil van Dijk will be the leader looking to keep the backline organised and disciplined against the threat of Kane & co. His partner should once again be Joel Matip, who has been fantastic over the last few months. Alisson will be a key presence in goal.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Liverpool

A long and exhausting season finally comes to an end on Saturday, with the pinnacle of European football. After an English UEFA Europa League final, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will lock horns in another such final, albeit in the premier competition, the UEFA Champions League.

With both sides likely to be at full strength, bar the odd absentee, Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp will hope to execute their plans effectively. And, if that turns out to be the case, one can expect the Champions League final to be the most open game of the three contests between Spurs and Liverpool this season.

The return of Harry Kane bodes well for Tottenham, while Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will be the big names returning for Liverpool. And, with the players all looking for their first UEFA Champions League win, expect an end to end affair in the Spanish capital.

In the end though, it might boil down to a solitary goal and The Hard Tackle predicts Liverpool to get the odd goal in five on the night to win the competition for the sixth time. For Tottenham, it will end up being a case of so near yet so far.