Saturday 26 May 2018 20:21, UK
Liverpool face holders Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Kiev on Saturday (kick-off 7.45pm), looking for their sixth triumph in the competition.
Jurgen Klopp's side, who saw off Roma 7-6 on aggregate in the semi-final, face 12-time champions Real, who were winners in Cardiff last year and in 2016 in Milan under Zinedine Zidane.
Before locking horns with his Real Madrid counterpart, Klopp has laughed off suggestions Zidane - who has an all-star team at his disposal - has limited tactical coaching knowledge.
"If a lot of people think Zinedine Zidane has not a lot of tactical knowledge and then people think the same about me that would be really funny," Klopp said.
"The two managers in the Champions League final have no clue about tactics? What would that say about the game?
"For me, Zinedine Zidane is one of the best five players of all time in football. I'm longer in Liverpool than he is at Real Madrid and he can win the Champions League for a third time. That's never happened before.
"Unfortunately I have to accept that he is as brilliant as he was as a player."
Klopp has lost his last five finals, three with Borussia Dortmund before moving to Anfield in 2015, and two in his debut season with the Reds.
It's a record Zidane is keen to extend as he targets a "beautiful" third successive European crown.
Zidane said: "I've always been a good competitor, I like to compete and behind all that is a lot of hard work - not only on my part but also the players.
"If you like to compete and want to work hard you can achieve what we are doing. For me this is entirely normal.
"This is beautiful. This is my passion. To reach a final is not easy and, at the same time, we are delighted to be able to play another final."
Klopp confirmed he had no new injuries concerns ahead of Liverpool's final training session in Kiev.
Long-term absentees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Joe Gomez (ankle) and Joel Matip (thigh) are not available but James Milner and Emre Can are available after overcoming injuries.
The Reds' starting line-up is likely to include only Roberto Firmino, Dejan Lovren and Milner from the team which lost the Europa League final two years ago - none of Klopp's squad has played in a Champions League final.
By contrast Ronaldo could become the fifth player to win five European Cups, while Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, Marcelo and Isco are all looking for their fourth Champions League medals.
The 12-time winners will be at full-strength in Kiev, with the only issue for Zidane to address concerning who out of Bale, Benzema or Isco will partner Ronaldo in attack.
Phil Thompson: "You can suggest that both sides' defences aren't the best, but I think ours is a little better now, especially in the full-back areas. I know that they have the big names, but I think ours are more capable defensively."
Thommo predicts: Liverpool win, Salah, Mane, Firmino and Bale all to score
Charlie Nicholas: I don't think the experience will count against Liverpool massively. I can see them sitting in initially, feeling their way into the game. I can see the energy and drive of James Milner and Jordan Henderson really stifling Real Madrid's midfield, just like Bayern, although they failed to take their chances."
Charlie predicts: Liverpool to win, Mane to score first, Ramos to be booked, 5+ corners each
Matt Le Tissier: "Liverpool's front three can cause Real Madrid plenty of problems. As good as Marcelo is going forward, he's not great on the back foot, and I think Liverpool can exploit that."
Le Tiss predicts: Liverpool to win, both team to score, Firmino, Salah and Mane all to score
Paul Merson: "Both teams will open up and Liverpool must think if they have a go they will score goals. However, I just think Real Madrid turn up on the big occasions. We were talking about them last season when they were playing badly and just turned up in the final against Juventus and won 4-1.
Merse predicts: Real Madrid to win 3-2 and Benzema to score first
