A Liverpool fan reacts as he poses beside the UEFA Champions League Cup on display at the fan zone in Kiev on May 24, 2018, ahead of the football match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC next May 26 at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium. / AFP PHOTO / Sergei SUPINSKY
Ahead of the final of 2017/2018 Uefa Champions League in Kiev, we take a look at five reasons Liverpool can upset the reigning champions Real Madrid, who are looking to make it the third consecutive win for the first time in the history of Europe’s elite football competition.
Most goals by forward in the competition
The trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have usurped a score-mark of 28 goals in a Champions League campaign previously held by Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013/2014 season. Salah and Firmino boast of 10 goals each this season, while Mane has 9 to take their goal tally to 29. This means the Liverpool team can outscore any team on their day.
Most goals scored by a team this
Liverpool have scored 40 goals in the Champions League this season. That’s 10 more than the 30 scored by Real Madrid. With 12 games played already, it means the Kop scored at the ratio of 3.33 goals per game.
Better defence than Real Madrid
Liverpool have a more solid better defence than Real Madrid with only 13 goals in 12 matches conceded. Real Madrid conceded 15 goals in as many matches. Also, Liverpool have six clean sheets; Real Madrid have just 3.
Better head-to-head in Europe
The 2018 Champions League final on Saturday will be the sixth meeting between Liverpool and Real Madrid. The Reds currently hold a 3-2 advantage but lost both their two most recent clashes four seasons ago.
European Cup final (May 27, 1981) Liverpool 1 Real Madrid 0, Champions League last 16 (February 25, 2009) Real Madrid 0 Liverpool 1, Champions League last 16 (March 10, 2009) Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0, Champions League group stage (October 22, 2014) Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3, Champions League group stage(November 4, 2014) Real Madrid 1 Liverpool 0.
Real Madrid’s Kiev bad luck
Real Madrid’s last two games in Kiev both in the Champions League ended 2-2 against Dynamo in 2004 (a game in which current coach Zinédine Zidane played) and 2006. They lost 2-0 on their first visit in the 1998/99 quarter-finals, a young Andriy Shevchenko scoring both goals.
Similarly, Liverpool has played in Kiev twice, winning 1 and drawing the other. Danny Murphy and Steven Gerrard struck as Liverpool won 2-1 against Dynamo Kyiv at Dynamo Stadium in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League group stage. Rafael Benítez’s side then drew 1-1 with Maccabi Haifa at the same venue.
The odds favour Liverpool winning in Kiev. But will that be the case?
Source: G Sport
