Liverpool vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League final result, score and reaction
Relive all the action from the Stade de France after Vinicius ensured Real Madrid of a record-extending 14th European Cup
Liverpool were denied a seventh European crown as Real Madrid became kings of the continent once again thanks to Vinicius Junior’s strike in a Champions League final marred by chaos outside the Stade de France.
Paris stepped in as host after UEFA stripped St Petersburg of the showpiece following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it did not provide a fitting host as European royalty went toe-to-toe in the biggest club match of the season.
Kick-off had to be delayed by 36 minutes due to substantial security issues outside the Stade de France, where Liverpool would be edged out 1-0 in a tense, engaging final settled by Real star Vinicius Jr.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were unable to find a response to the second-half strike as Carlo Ancelotti, managing a record fifth Champions League final just a year after leaving Everton, oversaw the Spanish giants’ 14th European Cup triumph.
It was a heartbreaking end to a memorable season for Liverpool, who won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup before being pipped to the Premier League title by a point and losing in the French capital.
Relive all the action from Paris:
From tears to beers: How Liverpool found defiance amid despondency of Champions League final defeat
Real Madrid eye statement Champions League victory amid shifting landscape of European football
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Champions League final 2022: A score to settle
Liverpool’s Mo Salah spoke earlier this month about the potential of facing Real Madrid in the Champions League final and he claimed Liverpool had “a score to settle” after losing 3-1 to the Spanish giants in the 2018 final in Kyiv.
Four years ago, Salah had to leave the pitch in tears after falling heavily following a challenge by Sergio Ramos. He wasn’t able to return and the Reds lost out on claiming Europe’s top prize.
“I want to play against them and hopefully win it from them as well,” added Salah, who confirmed earlier this week that he will remain a Liverpool player through next season despite ongoing contract negotiations.
Champions League final 2022: A repeat of 2018?
Tonight’s Champions League final is a repeat of the 2018 version when Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1 in Ukraine.
The Reds went on to beat Tottenham in the final the following season but the defeat to Madrid still lingers in the minds of the Liverpool supporters who will see this evening’s match as a chance for redemption.
Reds boss, Jurgen Klopp, was asked whether a win tonight would feel sweeter than the one in 2019 due to the fact that Real Madrid are the opponents and he replied:
“I have no idea how it will feel if we win it, to be honest. You have to ask me that question after the game. In the moment, we are more in the mood to prepare that we can give them a real game, a proper fight.
“Yes, you are right, it’s the most decorated club. It’s a team where some players can win it a fifth time, it’s a team where the manager can win it a fourth time. That all says a lot obviously. We cannot buy this experience now or get it overnight.
“We feel, if not the same experience, but we are experienced meanwhile as well – we are here the third time in five years, that’s special as well.
“No, the only thing we are thinking about is how to prepare the game, how to play the game. I didn’t think for a second how it would feel if, because I’m patient enough to wait for that moment and tell you then.”
Champions League final: Liverpool eyes £10 million weekend as fans flood into city centre for big match
There are big screens across the city, every hotel room is booked out, and, down at Jurgeon’s Bierhaus, it’s already approaching standing room only.
This is Liverpool city centre hours before Saturday night’s Champions League Final.
The Reds are aiming to win their seventh European Cup when they take on Real Madrid in Paris.
And, while more than 100,000 fans are estimated to have travelled to the French capital, Liverpool itself is both buzzing with excitement and preparing for a huge economic boon on the back of the big game.
“We can’t wait, mate,” said an already under-the-cosh bar staffer at Jurgeon’s, a German ale house named after club manager Klopp. “We’re already fully sold out for the game. It’s going to be a night to remember.”
Liverpool eyes £10m weekend as fans flood into city centre for Champions League final
Bars set to be packed and hotel rooms already sold out as city businesses prepare for windfall on back of football success
Champions League final: Klopp on Liverpool’s mood
Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, says that there is an excited mood around the Liverpool camp and gave an update on both Thiago Alcantare and Fabinho.
"The mood is very good, we’re very excited about being here," said Klopp yesterday. "We’re getting a feeling for the stadium and the location.
"It looks good for both Thiago and Fabinho. Fabinho has trained normally, Thiago trained with the team yesterday and will train today [Friday] and then we’ll go from there."
Champions League final 2022: Thiago and Fabinho to return?
Liverpool midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho could be fit for tonight’s Champions League final against Real Madrid at the Stade de France.
The duo have been named in the squad that flew to Paris on Friday and will be key players for the Reds if they make the team.
Thiago was a major doubt after suffering an Achilles injury during the 3-1 Premier League win over Wolves last Sunday and Fabinho, who had a thigh problem, has not played since 10th May.
If both are fully fit, expect them to start alongside Jordan Henderson in Liverpool’s midfield.
Jurgen Klopp raises concerns over new pitch for Champions League final
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has questioned the wisdom of dropping a new pitch into the Stade de France two days before the Champions League final after expressing his concerns over the quality of the surface.
The Reds face Real Madrid in a rematch of their 2018 encounter at the national stadium in Paris after the showpiece was moved there from St Petersburg in late February, following Russian’s invasion of Ukraine.
Klopp was speaking at the ground immediately before his players trained on the newly-laid grass but his first impressions were not positive.
“Usually when I say the pitch looks new, that is good news. This pitch is new since yesterday, which is not the best news – but it will be the same for both teams,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
Jurgen Klopp raises concerns over new pitch for Champions League final
The Reds face Real Madrid in a rematch of their 2018 encounter at the national stadium in Paris
Champions League final odds: First goalscorer
- Mohamed Salah 4/1
- Karim Benzema 9/2
- Diogo Jota 5/1
- Sadio Mane 5/1
- Takumi Minamino 11/2
- Roberto Firmino 6/1
- Mariano 13/2
- Luis Diaz 7/1
- Luka Jovic 15/2
- Gareth Bale 15/2
- Vinicius Junior 8/1
- Eden Hazard 10/1
- Marco Asensio 10/1
- Rodrygo 11/1
- Harvey Elliott 11/1
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 11/1
- Curtis Jones 11/1
- Naby Keita 12/1
- No Goalscorer 12/1
Champions League final 2022: Liverpool vs Real Madrid odds
Match odds
Liverpool: EVENS
Draw: 27/1
Real Madrid: 27/10
To lift trophy
Liverpool: 1/2
Real Madrid: 6/4
Liverpool to play for Ukraine people in Champions League final, Klopp says
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp dedicated Saturday’s Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris to the people of Ukraine, expressing support for the country against Russia’s invasion.
The game, a rematch of the 2018 final, had been scheduled for St Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena but was shifted to the Stade de France after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of its neighbour.
“I am happy that the game is here for thousands of reasons,” Klopp told reporters. The war is still going on and we have to think about that.”
The German said moving the final to Paris was “exactly the right message that Russia should get”.
Moscow calls the war a “special military operation” to demilitarise and “denazify” Ukraine. Kyiv and the West call it an unprovoked war of aggression.
“We play this final for all the people in Ukraine. I am sure some people in Ukraine can still watch it and we do it for you, 100%,” Klopp said.
Liverpool hopes to win a third trophy this season after success in the League Cup and FA Cup, while Real seeks to add to their LaLiga triumph and clinch a record-extending 14th Champions League crown.
Champions League final: Jurgen Klopp vents concern over Stade de France pitch
“Usually when I say the pitch looks new, that is good news. This pitch is new since yesterday, which is not the best news – but it will be the same for both teams,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“I saw the refs with their session and the good news is, the ball drops normal.
“You can see the lines where they put the pieces of the pitch (together), which is what we aren’t used to.
“That someone thought it was a good idea to bring the pitch the day before to the stadium is an interesting idea.
“But it didn’t kill my mood a per cent. I am really happy we are here, I would have played the game on petanque.”
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