UEFA Champions League Final - Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspurs
The UCL or UEFA Champions League was originally the European Cup. Back then, only the champions of each country qualified. No runners-up, third or fourth placed teams. In those days, there are no 'live' telecast of soccer matches. You only get hourly highlights of the previous week's matches for an hour and there were no European matches. Colour television only came in 1974 and it coincided with the World Cup in the then West Germany. We got to watch the Final "live" and in colour. West Germany in black and white and the Netherlands in orange and white. Wow!
At the time, the Europa was known as the UEFA Cup and were played over two legs. It was not until 1977 that I got to watch the first European match 'live' from Stadio Olimpico in Rome. It was contested between Liverpool FC and Borussia Monchengladbach, the powerhouse German champions. Liverpool were the UEFA Cup champions in the 75/76 season but both sides were in the European Cup Final for the first time. Borussia Monchenggladbach hae in their side goalkeeper Wolfgang Kneib, a 1.96m giant goalie. Bertie Vogts, rightback, captain and World Cup winner with West Germany n 1974, defender Rainer Bonhof also a key member of the 74 World Cup winner, German international Uli Stielike, another top striker in Jupp Heynckes who was in the 74 World Cup squad but did not play as West Germany then had as super striker in Gerd Muller and then the excellent Danish superstar Allan Simonsen who in that year won the European Footballer of the year ahead of Kevin Keegan. This was no easy game for Liverpool.
Liverpool 1977
The Liverpool lineup for that match was: Ray Clemence at goal. Ray Clemence was perhaps the greatest goalkeeper ever to play for Liverpool. He was the finest in Europe in the 70s and early 80s. He was always in that green goalie top, always unflapple and has a calming presence. He has a quick and accurate throw with both hands and had the most elegant one-handed kick from goal. He was also fabulous in cutting out crosses and was possibly the first keeper to play like a sweeper. He made a crucial stop by Uli Stielike and it was a turning point in that 77 Final. He conceded only 16 goals in a 42 match season in 78/79. Like Keegan he was signed from Scunthorpe. The no. 2 Phil Neal was Bob Paisley's first signing from fourth division Northampton and became Liverpool's most decorated player. Perhaps no Englishman was decorated more. He scored that penalty when Keegan was hacked down by Bertie Vogts. Neal has scored countless penalties. He was perhaps the third most prolific penalty kick scorer only after Matthew Le Tissier and Jan Molby. in terms of conversion. Neal's spot kick was often a placing, not a shot to the keeper's left. Left-back was Welsh man Joey Jones who was lesser known signed from Wrexham. but I remembered he battled like a warrior. Emlyn Hughes (ex Blackpool) captained Liverpool and later also captained England. He was known as "Crazy Horse" for his galloping forays upfield. Legend has it that while Bill Shankly was driving a 19 year old Hughes to Liverpool, he told a policeman: "Don't you know who is n this car? He is the future captain of England". Unfortunately, Hughes succumbed to a brain tumour and died at only 57. Tommy Smith formed the central pairing. Smith was born in Liverpool and was the most uncompromising defender you could find. It brought to mind Charles Bronson in "Death Wish" with that mustache. Jack Charlton said Tommy was the hardest player he ever faced. He was the original Iron man and score a header a winning goal from a corner in the 77 final. Regretfully, Smith had Alzheimer's and died in April 2019.
Ian Callaghan wore the Liver Bird on his chest for 857 times over 18 years. Callaghan was a fast and direct player with loads of stamina and pinpoint crossing. Jimmy Case had one of the hardest shots in English football and was originally from non-league football. He was quite a prolific scorer from midfield. He was also a tough tackler. He scored a great goal against Manchester United in 1977 which Liverpool lost. Terry McDermott was from Newcastle and he scored a wonder goal of the season against Everton in the 1977 F.A. Cup semi-final when he turned and chip into goal from just outside the penalty box. In 1980 McDermott became the first player to win both PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year! Some of his goals are unforgettable and he was spectacular. He scored Liverpool's opening goal in the final. Ray Kennedy was a froward with Arsenal but played on the left side of midfield for the Reds. He was a fine and composed but largely underrated player.
Irish man Steve Heighway is regarded as one of Liverpool's greatest players. Heighway was a strong and pacey winger with two good feet but he was never a prolific goal scorer but he created chances for John Toshack and Kevin Keegan then later Kenny Dalglish and David Johnson. Kevin Keegan - yes, he was the one that inspired me. Signed from Scunthorpe, Keegan rose to become Liverpool and England's first superstar with global media coverage. He was the footballing superstar of the 70s. He was such a dynamic attacking force. Bill SHankly described his signing at 35,000 pounds as 'robbery with violence'. He has a telepathic understanding with John Toshack which made them a fearsome pair. To me Keegan is a born winner for his enthusiastic, energetic and totally committed style of play. He was strong, fast, courageous and very quick on the turn. He was an ever present effervescence, a nightmare for defenders even for one so good a Bertie Vogts who was left in knots and who hacked him down for Liverpool's penalty third goal. Was English Footballer of the Year. Certainly one of Liverpool's favourite football sons forever. He joined Hamburg SV the following season for a record fee of 500,000 pounds and was voted European Footballer of the Year for two seasons. He was nicknamed Mighty Mouse at Hamburg. Keegan was never as talented as Maradona or Johan Cruyff but he could do things that Maradona and Cruyff could not. He is a great exponent of attacking soccer and it was translated into his time as a manager where he led Newcastle United, Fulham and Manchester City to promotion in his first full season at each club playing brilliant attacking soccer. He almost won the league in 95/96 with Newcastle with one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League.
I only knew and paid attention about the European Cup in 1977. Liverpool have since been Britain's most successful soccer team in European football winning eleven European trophies - 5 European Cups (now Champions League) and UEFA Cup (now Europa) 3 times and 3 UEFA Super Cups. Bob Paisley became the most successful manager in Europe with 5 trophies. The Golden Years for English clubs were from 1977 to 1984 where Liverpool were champions of Europe in 77 and 78, Nottingham Forest in 79/80, Liverpool in 81 and 84, Aston Villa in 82 and Liverpool again in 2005.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspurs
Tottenham has been designated as the home side with their name appearing first and as the home side you get to choose your first choice jersey colour. SInce Tottenham will be in their home colour of white and navy blue, Liverpool will don their red.The Reds just had their best season ever in the Premier League with 97 points losing the title one point behind Manchester City which puts them both as the top 1 and 2 teams in Europe on points tally. Klopp's team lost to Sevilla in the Europa in 2015/16. Last season, they had the most fearsome attack in English and European football but had a defence that could sink the Titanic and despite that thrilled their way to the Champions League final only to have lost to Real Madrid with a bad Salah injury and dubious goalkeeping by Loris Karius letting in two more despite a Mane equalizer. I still remember the horror of Karius throwing the ball onto Benzema's feet and the resultant goal.
Fast forward a year later, Liverpool are firmly back in the pinnacle of European top flight competition. Everyone saw the evisceration of Barcelona by Liverpool at Anfield where even Jose Mourinho sang praises of Klopp, Liverpool the players and the team but also the Kops. To get to this level and not win the Cup just like the league title would be a huge disappointment but in life nothing is certain except death and taxes. It is going to be a one off for this entire 90 minutes or slightly more. This final will be no damp squib and Tottenham Hotspurs will be no damp squid (pun intended). Spurs performed their own miracle after trailing Ajax 0-1 from a home tie and away to Ajax they went 0-1 down within 5 minutes and 0-2 down by the 35th (aggregate 0-3 down) but clawed their way back to win the match 3-2 and won on away goals ruling. Miracles belongs to those who have faith and belief and believing is seeing.
In the recently ended premier league season, Liverpool scored 89 goals and Tottenham 67. The Reds conceded 21 and the Lilywhites 39. Liverpool won 30 matches to Tottenham's 23 , drew 7 versus 2 and lost once to Spurs' 13. Liverpool had 97 points to Spurs' 71, a massive difference of 28 points. So over a season which means more often in matches Liverpool will score more, concede less and win more. However, this is a Cup Final, a one off so it could be anybody's game. From the KO stage, Spurs have beaten Dortmund 4-0 (3-0 home and 1-0 away), Manchester City 4-4 winning on away goals rule (1-0 home and 3-4 away), Ajax 3-3 winning on away goal rules (0-1 home and 3-2 away). Very impressive. Liverpool have beaten Bayern Munich 3-1 (0-0 home and 3-1 away), beaten Porto 6-1 (2-0 home and 4-1 away) and beaten Barcelona 4-3 (0-3 away and 4-o home). Powerful indeed.
Goals and Top Scorers
Tottenham's top scorer was Harry Kane at 17 league goals (he was injured for quite a long period) and Son Heung-Min with 12. Liverpool have two top scorers award winner in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane each with 22 goals. Roberto Firmino has 12. Liverpool are clearly ahead here in attack. Liverpool wins.
Top Assist Leaders
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has 12 and Andrew Robertson has 11, Mohamed Salah has 8 and Roberto Firmino has 6, James Milner 4, Jordan Henderson 3 and Xherdan Shaqiri 3, Fabinho 2, Virgil Van Dijk 2, Nathaniel Clyne 1, Naby Keita 1, Sadio Mane 1, Divock Origi 1 and Daniel Sturridge 1. Spurs' Christian Eriksen has 12, Son Heung-Min has 6, Harry Kane has 4, Llorente 4, Dele Alli 3, Danny Rose 3, Moussa Sissoko 3, Kieran Trippier 3, Kyle Walker-Peters 3, Sergio Aurier 2, Erik Lamela 2, Georges Kevin 1 and Davison Sanchez 1. Liverpools' total assists - 56 and Spurs - 47. Liverpool wins.
Clean Sheets
Liverpool have 21 clean sheets at number one while Spurs are at number 5 with 13 shut outs. Liverpool wins.
Team
Liverpool have many come backs from losing position. You could say the same for Spurs for the Champions League run. Both are inspired and trained by great managers, play attractive soccer and function superbly as a team. Liverpool are truly a real team and Spurs are pretty close. I'll call a truce here and say they are about equal.
Managers
Both are Most Wanted managers. Both did not spent frivolously but will pay for what they need. Both are great at identifying talents, giving opportunities to and grooming young players and unknowns and turning them into stars. Most of all, they build a team.
Is Jurgen Klopp or Mauricio Pochettino the better manager? Klopp came for the challenge as he could have gone anywhere, promise to work and raise the game for Liverpool with high octane counter-press or gegen pressing aka heavy metal soccer and he has achieved beyond that but they say Klopp has lost all his finals. Should it be eventually his?
Pochettino left Espanyol to join Southampton and turned them into a good and attractive team that could beat City, Liverpool and Chelsea and even led the Saints to 8th place. He did even better at Spurs and led them to 5th, 3rd and 2nd while playing some really great football. He did all these at Spurs without any new signing for 2 years and even faced with injuries.
In their nine games competed Liverpool won 4, drew 4 and lost 1. History does not favour Spurs. This season they have lost a total of 19 games (13 in the league) which is well, a lot. Liverpool lost only once in the league plus 4 more for a total of 5 defeats. Both are excellent managers for the long term to build teams, develop young and promising players. It is hard to choose who is better but Klopp has an infectious way to do things. He has found and picked players who may be considered average and maybe even not good enough to start or play in their previous teams but suddenly are thriving under his tutelage so you could see it is clearly his works. Look what he has down to Andrew Robertson, Alex Chamberlain and James Milner for example. Klopp has been the fuel that Liverpool burns with passion.
Players
From the Fantasy Premier League, they awarded points for real game play for every facet of each match for an entire season. and here is the face off.
Liverpool's Alisson was number one at goal with 176 points with Lloris at no. 5 with 145 points. Andrew Robertson was number one in defence with 213 points, no. 2 - Virgial Van Dijk with 208, no.3 Alexander Arnold with 185 and Joel Matip had 83 while Spurs' Kieran Trippier had 118 points, Alderweirald had 107, Danny Rose 86 and Jan Vertonghen had 67.
In midfield Liverpool's Mo Salah was top with 259, Sadio Mane 231, Wijnaldum 108, James Milner 101, Jordan Henderson 76 and Fabinho 65. Spurs' Christian Eriksen had 161, Son Heung-Min 159, Lucas Moura 131, Dele Alli 94, Sissoko 76 and Lamela 67.
Liverpool's strikers were Roberto Firmino at 160, Daniel Sturridge 34 and Divock Origi 32 as they hardly played. Spurs' Harry Kane was at 160, Llorente 41 and Jansen at 3 as they too hardly played.
Key Players
Tottenham - It was the first season where Tottenham could win without the talismanic Harry Kane when he was injured. Lucas Moura more than made up for it with his incredible hattrick to dump Ajax. Lloris at goal is a World Cup winner and a fine keeper capable of heroics but has made his fair share of blunders. Belgians Alderweireald and Vertonghen are good pairing at the heart of defence. Kirean Trippeir on the right is capable of delivering fine crosses and during set pieces and Danny Rose is quite a speed merchant. Dele Alli is unpredictable and Christian Eriksen has shown for a few seasons why he was considered the Messi of Denmark. He creates and scores consistently. Son Heung-Min is perhaps the best ever Korean in the EPL, maybe Europe. The lad is really fast and dangerous. Harry Kane is the World Cup top scorer and top scorer in the EPL for a few seasons. When SPurs click on the day, they could beat anyone. Will Pochettino recall Harry Kane or stick with his hattrick hero Lucas Moura? Kane may be fit again but is he match fit as he has been out since April. It will be a big call.
Liverpool - Alisson Becker has consistently made all the big saves when called upon. He does not make them look spectacular but made them look easy. Trent Alexander-Arnold shall become the youngest player to play in successive Champions League finals. His delivery and assists need no introduction. Andrew Robertson is a great example of Klopp's style - endless running and bite. Oh yes and his assist and delivery too. Joel Matip has become so brilliant towards the later part of the season and Virgil Van Dijk is simply imperious and colossal. WIth Naby Keita out, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum will be considered. When Henderson switched to a more attacking role, he has been quite monstrous. Fabinho has grown in stature. He has telescopic legs that seems to stretch a long way. He is like a golf ball retriever. Saw what he did to Messi? WIjnaldum scored three times in the season but got two in 3 minutes against Barcelona. Milner played in midfield and then left back in that match, versatile and ever dependable. It was claimed that Roberto Firmino will be back. There is not a better player if winning the ball back from up front and in creating spaces. Sadio Mane is having his finest season yet. Quick and powerful and always a handful against anyone. Salah will also be back and despite not at his best throughout the season still got 22 league goals, the same as Mane. Firmino has 12 so a front three total of 56. In those critcial moments, Divock Origi came in and became the hero and a star.
Key Battles
Harry Kane and Harry Winks has not played since April. When if physically fit are t hey match fit and sharp enough. Will Pochettino start with Harry Kane and leave out Lucas Moura? I think he may start with Moura, their hero against Ajax. Kane may come in later if he needs to change some of the plan. Tottenham will depend much from Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli. Similarly, Roberto missed the last few games of the season so even when fit is he match fit? Managers depend on big match players who are influential. So will Kane and Firmino start.
Wing Backs
The fullbacks and wing backs will play a big role. Trippier is adapt with the dead ball but this season, injuries has affected him and he was left out of the England squad after a fine World Cup. Rose is quick and also could whip in crosses but their roles could be more withdrawn as Liverpool have very fast forwards in Mane and Salah which will peg them back. Trippier may have problem coping with Mane as Mane is playing his best soccer of his career. The same goes to Liverpool as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are assist kings but Son Heung-Min could cause them trouble with his speed. So you could see a slightly different game here.
Set Pieces
Increasingly, set pieces are extremely important in winning matches. Alderweirelad and Vertonghen or even Davison Sanchez were quite good the previous season but this season Liverpool's Matip and Van Dijk especially the latter have been dangerous when joining the attack with Mane converting quite a few. Even Origi has chipped in with a few crucial ones.
Tottenham's weakness in in their defence especially when defending set pieces but they could score. Still they have the quality and determination to to cause upsets as they have proven. Liverpool look stronger and more dangerous and they now have the experience and pain of having lost in finals, the last one just the previous season. In the Premier League this season, Liverpool won both games. In a big final, anything can happen. It is a one off and totally dependent on what you do and how you play in that 90 minutes or more.
Conclusion
In such a big cup final, a moment of brilliance, a mistake or even a bad refereeing decision could decide the outcome. These are two very good teams with exciting players that play attacking soccer under two very capable managers. It is anyone's Cup and a new King of Europe will be crowned soon. Spurs are in their first final Champions League final but they have big players too. Liverpool have the experience of being a losing finalist twice, once in the Europa and last season in the Champions League. Such experience at this level is going to be vital. There will be an extra determination to overcome all and win it.
The evisceration of Barcelona will be a Champions League classic forever. It should certainly be a great match. If Liverpool can repeat their performance versus Barcelona. No team can stop them. So for me or as for any neutral, Liverpool will win it but Liverpool must earn it and make it. Punters may put Liverpool as favourites to win and probably a 2-1 score maybe popular. My prediction is for Liverpool add one more to become six times winner and become king and champions of Europe and for them to win by the same scoreline as in 1977. Tottenham 1 Liverpool 3.
Liverpool 1977
The Liverpool lineup for that match was: Ray Clemence at goal. Ray Clemence was perhaps the greatest goalkeeper ever to play for Liverpool. He was the finest in Europe in the 70s and early 80s. He was always in that green goalie top, always unflapple and has a calming presence. He has a quick and accurate throw with both hands and had the most elegant one-handed kick from goal. He was also fabulous in cutting out crosses and was possibly the first keeper to play like a sweeper. He made a crucial stop by Uli Stielike and it was a turning point in that 77 Final. He conceded only 16 goals in a 42 match season in 78/79. Like Keegan he was signed from Scunthorpe. The no. 2 Phil Neal was Bob Paisley's first signing from fourth division Northampton and became Liverpool's most decorated player. Perhaps no Englishman was decorated more. He scored that penalty when Keegan was hacked down by Bertie Vogts. Neal has scored countless penalties. He was perhaps the third most prolific penalty kick scorer only after Matthew Le Tissier and Jan Molby. in terms of conversion. Neal's spot kick was often a placing, not a shot to the keeper's left. Left-back was Welsh man Joey Jones who was lesser known signed from Wrexham. but I remembered he battled like a warrior. Emlyn Hughes (ex Blackpool) captained Liverpool and later also captained England. He was known as "Crazy Horse" for his galloping forays upfield. Legend has it that while Bill Shankly was driving a 19 year old Hughes to Liverpool, he told a policeman: "Don't you know who is n this car? He is the future captain of England". Unfortunately, Hughes succumbed to a brain tumour and died at only 57. Tommy Smith formed the central pairing. Smith was born in Liverpool and was the most uncompromising defender you could find. It brought to mind Charles Bronson in "Death Wish" with that mustache. Jack Charlton said Tommy was the hardest player he ever faced. He was the original Iron man and score a header a winning goal from a corner in the 77 final. Regretfully, Smith had Alzheimer's and died in April 2019.
Ian Callaghan wore the Liver Bird on his chest for 857 times over 18 years. Callaghan was a fast and direct player with loads of stamina and pinpoint crossing. Jimmy Case had one of the hardest shots in English football and was originally from non-league football. He was quite a prolific scorer from midfield. He was also a tough tackler. He scored a great goal against Manchester United in 1977 which Liverpool lost. Terry McDermott was from Newcastle and he scored a wonder goal of the season against Everton in the 1977 F.A. Cup semi-final when he turned and chip into goal from just outside the penalty box. In 1980 McDermott became the first player to win both PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year! Some of his goals are unforgettable and he was spectacular. He scored Liverpool's opening goal in the final. Ray Kennedy was a froward with Arsenal but played on the left side of midfield for the Reds. He was a fine and composed but largely underrated player.
Irish man Steve Heighway is regarded as one of Liverpool's greatest players. Heighway was a strong and pacey winger with two good feet but he was never a prolific goal scorer but he created chances for John Toshack and Kevin Keegan then later Kenny Dalglish and David Johnson. Kevin Keegan - yes, he was the one that inspired me. Signed from Scunthorpe, Keegan rose to become Liverpool and England's first superstar with global media coverage. He was the footballing superstar of the 70s. He was such a dynamic attacking force. Bill SHankly described his signing at 35,000 pounds as 'robbery with violence'. He has a telepathic understanding with John Toshack which made them a fearsome pair. To me Keegan is a born winner for his enthusiastic, energetic and totally committed style of play. He was strong, fast, courageous and very quick on the turn. He was an ever present effervescence, a nightmare for defenders even for one so good a Bertie Vogts who was left in knots and who hacked him down for Liverpool's penalty third goal. Was English Footballer of the Year. Certainly one of Liverpool's favourite football sons forever. He joined Hamburg SV the following season for a record fee of 500,000 pounds and was voted European Footballer of the Year for two seasons. He was nicknamed Mighty Mouse at Hamburg. Keegan was never as talented as Maradona or Johan Cruyff but he could do things that Maradona and Cruyff could not. He is a great exponent of attacking soccer and it was translated into his time as a manager where he led Newcastle United, Fulham and Manchester City to promotion in his first full season at each club playing brilliant attacking soccer. He almost won the league in 95/96 with Newcastle with one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League.
I only knew and paid attention about the European Cup in 1977. Liverpool have since been Britain's most successful soccer team in European football winning eleven European trophies - 5 European Cups (now Champions League) and UEFA Cup (now Europa) 3 times and 3 UEFA Super Cups. Bob Paisley became the most successful manager in Europe with 5 trophies. The Golden Years for English clubs were from 1977 to 1984 where Liverpool were champions of Europe in 77 and 78, Nottingham Forest in 79/80, Liverpool in 81 and 84, Aston Villa in 82 and Liverpool again in 2005.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspurs
Tottenham has been designated as the home side with their name appearing first and as the home side you get to choose your first choice jersey colour. SInce Tottenham will be in their home colour of white and navy blue, Liverpool will don their red.The Reds just had their best season ever in the Premier League with 97 points losing the title one point behind Manchester City which puts them both as the top 1 and 2 teams in Europe on points tally. Klopp's team lost to Sevilla in the Europa in 2015/16. Last season, they had the most fearsome attack in English and European football but had a defence that could sink the Titanic and despite that thrilled their way to the Champions League final only to have lost to Real Madrid with a bad Salah injury and dubious goalkeeping by Loris Karius letting in two more despite a Mane equalizer. I still remember the horror of Karius throwing the ball onto Benzema's feet and the resultant goal.
Fast forward a year later, Liverpool are firmly back in the pinnacle of European top flight competition. Everyone saw the evisceration of Barcelona by Liverpool at Anfield where even Jose Mourinho sang praises of Klopp, Liverpool the players and the team but also the Kops. To get to this level and not win the Cup just like the league title would be a huge disappointment but in life nothing is certain except death and taxes. It is going to be a one off for this entire 90 minutes or slightly more. This final will be no damp squib and Tottenham Hotspurs will be no damp squid (pun intended). Spurs performed their own miracle after trailing Ajax 0-1 from a home tie and away to Ajax they went 0-1 down within 5 minutes and 0-2 down by the 35th (aggregate 0-3 down) but clawed their way back to win the match 3-2 and won on away goals ruling. Miracles belongs to those who have faith and belief and believing is seeing.
In the recently ended premier league season, Liverpool scored 89 goals and Tottenham 67. The Reds conceded 21 and the Lilywhites 39. Liverpool won 30 matches to Tottenham's 23 , drew 7 versus 2 and lost once to Spurs' 13. Liverpool had 97 points to Spurs' 71, a massive difference of 28 points. So over a season which means more often in matches Liverpool will score more, concede less and win more. However, this is a Cup Final, a one off so it could be anybody's game. From the KO stage, Spurs have beaten Dortmund 4-0 (3-0 home and 1-0 away), Manchester City 4-4 winning on away goals rule (1-0 home and 3-4 away), Ajax 3-3 winning on away goal rules (0-1 home and 3-2 away). Very impressive. Liverpool have beaten Bayern Munich 3-1 (0-0 home and 3-1 away), beaten Porto 6-1 (2-0 home and 4-1 away) and beaten Barcelona 4-3 (0-3 away and 4-o home). Powerful indeed.
Goals and Top Scorers
Tottenham's top scorer was Harry Kane at 17 league goals (he was injured for quite a long period) and Son Heung-Min with 12. Liverpool have two top scorers award winner in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane each with 22 goals. Roberto Firmino has 12. Liverpool are clearly ahead here in attack. Liverpool wins.
Top Assist Leaders
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has 12 and Andrew Robertson has 11, Mohamed Salah has 8 and Roberto Firmino has 6, James Milner 4, Jordan Henderson 3 and Xherdan Shaqiri 3, Fabinho 2, Virgil Van Dijk 2, Nathaniel Clyne 1, Naby Keita 1, Sadio Mane 1, Divock Origi 1 and Daniel Sturridge 1. Spurs' Christian Eriksen has 12, Son Heung-Min has 6, Harry Kane has 4, Llorente 4, Dele Alli 3, Danny Rose 3, Moussa Sissoko 3, Kieran Trippier 3, Kyle Walker-Peters 3, Sergio Aurier 2, Erik Lamela 2, Georges Kevin 1 and Davison Sanchez 1. Liverpools' total assists - 56 and Spurs - 47. Liverpool wins.
Clean Sheets
Liverpool have 21 clean sheets at number one while Spurs are at number 5 with 13 shut outs. Liverpool wins.
Team
Liverpool have many come backs from losing position. You could say the same for Spurs for the Champions League run. Both are inspired and trained by great managers, play attractive soccer and function superbly as a team. Liverpool are truly a real team and Spurs are pretty close. I'll call a truce here and say they are about equal.
Managers
Both are Most Wanted managers. Both did not spent frivolously but will pay for what they need. Both are great at identifying talents, giving opportunities to and grooming young players and unknowns and turning them into stars. Most of all, they build a team.
Is Jurgen Klopp or Mauricio Pochettino the better manager? Klopp came for the challenge as he could have gone anywhere, promise to work and raise the game for Liverpool with high octane counter-press or gegen pressing aka heavy metal soccer and he has achieved beyond that but they say Klopp has lost all his finals. Should it be eventually his?
Pochettino left Espanyol to join Southampton and turned them into a good and attractive team that could beat City, Liverpool and Chelsea and even led the Saints to 8th place. He did even better at Spurs and led them to 5th, 3rd and 2nd while playing some really great football. He did all these at Spurs without any new signing for 2 years and even faced with injuries.
In their nine games competed Liverpool won 4, drew 4 and lost 1. History does not favour Spurs. This season they have lost a total of 19 games (13 in the league) which is well, a lot. Liverpool lost only once in the league plus 4 more for a total of 5 defeats. Both are excellent managers for the long term to build teams, develop young and promising players. It is hard to choose who is better but Klopp has an infectious way to do things. He has found and picked players who may be considered average and maybe even not good enough to start or play in their previous teams but suddenly are thriving under his tutelage so you could see it is clearly his works. Look what he has down to Andrew Robertson, Alex Chamberlain and James Milner for example. Klopp has been the fuel that Liverpool burns with passion.
Players
From the Fantasy Premier League, they awarded points for real game play for every facet of each match for an entire season. and here is the face off.
Liverpool's Alisson was number one at goal with 176 points with Lloris at no. 5 with 145 points. Andrew Robertson was number one in defence with 213 points, no. 2 - Virgial Van Dijk with 208, no.3 Alexander Arnold with 185 and Joel Matip had 83 while Spurs' Kieran Trippier had 118 points, Alderweirald had 107, Danny Rose 86 and Jan Vertonghen had 67.
In midfield Liverpool's Mo Salah was top with 259, Sadio Mane 231, Wijnaldum 108, James Milner 101, Jordan Henderson 76 and Fabinho 65. Spurs' Christian Eriksen had 161, Son Heung-Min 159, Lucas Moura 131, Dele Alli 94, Sissoko 76 and Lamela 67.
Liverpool's strikers were Roberto Firmino at 160, Daniel Sturridge 34 and Divock Origi 32 as they hardly played. Spurs' Harry Kane was at 160, Llorente 41 and Jansen at 3 as they too hardly played.
Key Players
Tottenham - It was the first season where Tottenham could win without the talismanic Harry Kane when he was injured. Lucas Moura more than made up for it with his incredible hattrick to dump Ajax. Lloris at goal is a World Cup winner and a fine keeper capable of heroics but has made his fair share of blunders. Belgians Alderweireald and Vertonghen are good pairing at the heart of defence. Kirean Trippeir on the right is capable of delivering fine crosses and during set pieces and Danny Rose is quite a speed merchant. Dele Alli is unpredictable and Christian Eriksen has shown for a few seasons why he was considered the Messi of Denmark. He creates and scores consistently. Son Heung-Min is perhaps the best ever Korean in the EPL, maybe Europe. The lad is really fast and dangerous. Harry Kane is the World Cup top scorer and top scorer in the EPL for a few seasons. When SPurs click on the day, they could beat anyone. Will Pochettino recall Harry Kane or stick with his hattrick hero Lucas Moura? Kane may be fit again but is he match fit as he has been out since April. It will be a big call.
Liverpool - Alisson Becker has consistently made all the big saves when called upon. He does not make them look spectacular but made them look easy. Trent Alexander-Arnold shall become the youngest player to play in successive Champions League finals. His delivery and assists need no introduction. Andrew Robertson is a great example of Klopp's style - endless running and bite. Oh yes and his assist and delivery too. Joel Matip has become so brilliant towards the later part of the season and Virgil Van Dijk is simply imperious and colossal. WIth Naby Keita out, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum will be considered. When Henderson switched to a more attacking role, he has been quite monstrous. Fabinho has grown in stature. He has telescopic legs that seems to stretch a long way. He is like a golf ball retriever. Saw what he did to Messi? WIjnaldum scored three times in the season but got two in 3 minutes against Barcelona. Milner played in midfield and then left back in that match, versatile and ever dependable. It was claimed that Roberto Firmino will be back. There is not a better player if winning the ball back from up front and in creating spaces. Sadio Mane is having his finest season yet. Quick and powerful and always a handful against anyone. Salah will also be back and despite not at his best throughout the season still got 22 league goals, the same as Mane. Firmino has 12 so a front three total of 56. In those critcial moments, Divock Origi came in and became the hero and a star.
Key Battles
Harry Kane and Harry Winks has not played since April. When if physically fit are t hey match fit and sharp enough. Will Pochettino start with Harry Kane and leave out Lucas Moura? I think he may start with Moura, their hero against Ajax. Kane may come in later if he needs to change some of the plan. Tottenham will depend much from Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli. Similarly, Roberto missed the last few games of the season so even when fit is he match fit? Managers depend on big match players who are influential. So will Kane and Firmino start.
Wing Backs
The fullbacks and wing backs will play a big role. Trippier is adapt with the dead ball but this season, injuries has affected him and he was left out of the England squad after a fine World Cup. Rose is quick and also could whip in crosses but their roles could be more withdrawn as Liverpool have very fast forwards in Mane and Salah which will peg them back. Trippier may have problem coping with Mane as Mane is playing his best soccer of his career. The same goes to Liverpool as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are assist kings but Son Heung-Min could cause them trouble with his speed. So you could see a slightly different game here.
Set Pieces
Increasingly, set pieces are extremely important in winning matches. Alderweirelad and Vertonghen or even Davison Sanchez were quite good the previous season but this season Liverpool's Matip and Van Dijk especially the latter have been dangerous when joining the attack with Mane converting quite a few. Even Origi has chipped in with a few crucial ones.
Tottenham's weakness in in their defence especially when defending set pieces but they could score. Still they have the quality and determination to to cause upsets as they have proven. Liverpool look stronger and more dangerous and they now have the experience and pain of having lost in finals, the last one just the previous season. In the Premier League this season, Liverpool won both games. In a big final, anything can happen. It is a one off and totally dependent on what you do and how you play in that 90 minutes or more.
Conclusion
In such a big cup final, a moment of brilliance, a mistake or even a bad refereeing decision could decide the outcome. These are two very good teams with exciting players that play attacking soccer under two very capable managers. It is anyone's Cup and a new King of Europe will be crowned soon. Spurs are in their first final Champions League final but they have big players too. Liverpool have the experience of being a losing finalist twice, once in the Europa and last season in the Champions League. Such experience at this level is going to be vital. There will be an extra determination to overcome all and win it.
The evisceration of Barcelona will be a Champions League classic forever. It should certainly be a great match. If Liverpool can repeat their performance versus Barcelona. No team can stop them. So for me or as for any neutral, Liverpool will win it but Liverpool must earn it and make it. Punters may put Liverpool as favourites to win and probably a 2-1 score maybe popular. My prediction is for Liverpool add one more to become six times winner and become king and champions of Europe and for them to win by the same scoreline as in 1977. Tottenham 1 Liverpool 3.
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