FC Liverpool have finished their 14-year title thirsty track and won the Champions League for the sixth time. Jürgen Klopp’s team won a final that was less spectacular over long distances with 2:0 (1:0) against Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham coach Pochettino relied from the start on the recovered Winks and Kane, who had both been injured for 53 days. Wanyama and Lucas Moura, who had scored three times in the semi-final return leg against Ajax Amsterdam, were on the bench for this.
On the other side, Liverpool coach Klopp picked up the expected starting eleven, with Matip in central defence, Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum in three-midfield and Firmino in front instead of Barcelona-Schreck Origi. Routine Milner, who had also been considered a starter in the English press, had to make do with the role of reservist until his substitution for Wijnaldum in the 62nd minute.
The 67,700 spectators in the Estadio Metropolitano experienced a wild initial phase. With the early penalty kick against Tottenhams Sissoko, Liverpool’s top scorer Salah dryly hammered into the middle (2.), Pochettino’s tactical plan to stand well in the back and pin prick in the front was no longer necessary. The Spurs didn’t storm blindly forward after the cold shower, but Liverpool left them to play and lurked for Klopp’s orders to push for mistakes instead of coming out for the devil.
Pochettino’s eleven knew how to do little productive with the many possessions of the ball. The strong playing Winks and Alli combined themselves partly respectably by the middle, the last, compelling conclusion was missing however or went far over Alissons housing. Above all, returner Kane hung ob defensively well-sorted Reds in the air, while Son for his proportions made excessively many bad decisions in passing.
Liverpool, on the other hand, attacked more determinedly, giving them good chances before the break, such as Robertson’s shot (38th). The 1-0 break lead of the Klopp eleven was therefore in order.
The picture was the same after the change of side: Tottenham had a lot of game shares, but didn’t even force Alisson to do a brilliant job. And Liverpool? Countered in Klopp’s manner like a robbery, but not very profitable – until shortly before the end, when Joker Origi put the lid on it.
Goals: 0:1 Salah (2.), 0:2 Origi (87.)
With his early goal, he advanced to match winner. Presented himself also apart from that very actively – gave a total of six shots on goal (best value), worked well to the back and also after lost duels continued to give way strongly. Also strong with Klopps Team: Matip, who cleared almost everything and even scored a scorer point at 2:0 by Origi.
He hardly took part in the game of the Spurs in the first half and dribbled constantly in the second half. He lost a total of 13 balls and missed a great chance in the 73rd minute by trying to defeat Alisson emotionally with a lift instead of finishing goal-oriented. At Liverpool disappointing: Firmino.
The Reds scored a penalty in the first minute after Mane shot Sissoko’s right arm a little too far out from two metres. It was a tough decision, but one that was basically in accordance with the rules – even if it took a large portion of the tension out of the game. All in all, the 42-year-old Slovenian showed a sovereign, unagitated performance.
