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:
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Battle between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Vinicius Junior set to decide Champions League final
That Liverpool are a better team than Real Madrid is a fairly uncontroversial point ahead of this year’s Champions League final. The consensus is that they will have the edge in many of the individual match-ups across the pitch at the Stade de France. There is no easy way to stop Jurgen Klopp’s side from playing their game. There is an obvious way to hit them back, though.
And in Paris, they will come up against the opponents who were responsible for their most recent Champions League exit in April of last year. Liverpool were short of any of their first-choice centre-backs then, due to the freak run of injuries that made last season the most difficult that Klopp has experienced in six and a half years at Anfield. Their exit at the quarter-final stage to Madrid was not especially surprising given those wider difficulties.
No player did more to bring about that exit, though, than Vinicius Junior. By repeatedly finding space in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold down Liverpool’s right, he scored twice in Madrid’s 3-1 first leg win and had chances to settle the tie once and for all in the goalless draw at Anfield. It is easy to read too much into those games. That was a different Liverpool. Yet it was also a different Vinicius.
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‘The game of the season’: Weight of history adds to Champions League final shaping up to be a modern classic
Although the Liverpool players attempted to treat this like any of the many big games they’ve played, it took a mere step on the Stade de France pitch to change that. This is the club’s third Champions League final in five years, but there’s still that extra electrical charge to the air.
“It’s the occasion, it’s talking in a press conference here,” Trent Alexander-Arnold said. “There’s different things you do around the game. It’s the special game, the one that everyone wants to play in.
“It’s the game of the season.”
The hope is that it will also be the game of the season in terms of spectacle. That is one thing the Champions League has not really served up amid all its drama, and you arguably have to go back to 2005 for the last truly great showpiece, but there are little elements coming together that could set up a classic.
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“I got into it a few years ago after Drive to Survive, like a lot of people,” says the Tottenham defender, who is in Monte-Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix.
“They have a special thing in the Champions League, their history helps them a lot, an incredible run to get to the final. I’m sure it’ll be a great game, may the best team win.
“Playing in the Champions League again will be fantastic, it’s the best competition in the world. The Premier League will get stronger as always.”
Liverpool v Real Madrid: Jurgen Klopp rejects Champions League final revenge mission
Jurgen Klopp has rejected the idea that the Champions League final is about revenge for Liverpool after the agonising 2018 loss to Real Madrid in Kyiv.
“This was a harsh night for us - it was tough to take,” said Klopp.
“But I don’t believe in revenge or think revenge is a fantastic idea,” he added.
“I understand what Mo said - he wants to put it right. But in Germany we say you always meet twice in life.
“If we get the chance to win it this time it will be a great story, but it will not be because of what happened in 2018.”
Jurgen Klopp says Thiago Alcantara has a ‘good chance’ to play in Champions League final
Jurgen Klopp has said Thiago Alcantara has a “good chance” to play in the Champions League final for Liverpool.
The Spain midfielder exited the game at half-time against Wolves on the final day of the Premier League and has been nursing an Achilles injury since.
“He will train this afternoon,” Klopp said.
“At the moment it looks like he can be part of training tomorrow. That would be really helpful.
“It’s surprisingly good. After the game I was not really positive about it, but we got news that night that it doesn’t look that bad. We will see.”
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: How to watch Champions League final for free
Liverpool and Real Madrid will descend on the Stade de France on Saturday to compete in the Champions League final.
It is a vengeful evening for the Reds as they lost to Real in the 2018 final. Jurgen Klopp’s side are the slim favourites heading into the clash but fans won’t be discounting Real, who fought back with a late equaliser and then extra time winner against Manchester City in the semi-finals.
Rafael Benitez, who managed both clubs, has issued a warning to the Reds ahead of the final due to Real’s fighting spirit. He said: “At Real Madrid it’s more about having quality players who can make the difference on their own - Carlo Ancelotti can organise the team. It’s giving them the confidence to play as well as they can.
“Ancelotti then has the ability - through experience - to make the right decisions. And that’s what it is - experience. His knowledge has given him an ability to make the right decisions on more occasions.”
But how can fans watch and when is kick-off? Here’s all you need to know.
How to watch Champions League final for free
The Champions League final will be available for all supporters to watch
Mason Mount on supporting Red Bull and reflecting on Chelsea’s season
Mason Mount: “We saw them yesterday for practice, had a little conversation, they’re really good guys. It’s boiling. Looking forward to the next one.
“I’m not sure about the Champions League final, it’s a top game, two top teams, I’m excited to watch. It’ll be a good game.
“We were in and around it [the title race], until half-way through, it’s disappointing, the goal is to close the gap. It’s an exciting time now, with the owners confirmed today. We look forward now, exciting stuff, can’t wait to get back to that.”
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Meet the Champions League final referee Clement Turpin
Clement Turpin will referee the Champions League final between Liverpool fc and Real Madrid on Saturday.
Turpin, who has been an international referee since 2010, has a wealth of European football experience including seven Champions League games this season.
He was the man in the middle for last season’s Europa League final between Manchester United and Villarreal and also officiated at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He last refereed Liverpool in last season’s Champions League where he took charge of the last-16 match between the Reds and RB Leipzig.
Turpin was in charge of Real Madrid’s quarter-final first leg against Chelsea, a game where Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
He will be assisted by Nicolas Danos and Cyril Gringore with Benoit Bastien the fourth official. Jerome Brisard will be in charge of VAR.
Champions League Final: Liverpool vs Real Madrid team news
Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Joe Gomez. Divock Origi has been ruled out.
Real Madrid are expected to have David Alaba back from injury, with Carlo Ancelotti claiming to have a full squad available.
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