LIVERPOOL KINGS OF EUROPE

CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE

Liverpool made it an historic sixth European Cup victory after defeating Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid. Liverpool had previously settled for the runners up spot having lost to the galactico’s Real Madrid a year earlier. However, they battled through this season’s competition and rose to great heights especially in their semi final destruction of Barcelona to gain a place in the final.

Credit must be given to Reds manager Jurgen Klopp who finally won a final (it’s been a long time coming) after losing his previous 7 contests but he was able to set his side up and guide them to victory in his 8th final. The KOP and Klopp celebrated the win in bringing Liverpool European glory once more.

The game itself wasn’t what you’d expect from a champions league final in terms of entertainment value, especially with both teams being renowned for their great attacking prowess. Nevertheless the showcase premiered two great English clubs competing for European Club football’s summit.

The match started off controversially after Sisoko was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty box (I’m not sure what the referee was watching but from where I was sat that didn’t look like a hand ball). The referee wasted little time in awarding the penalty and to the amazement of the Spurs supporters VAR was not consulted (think of it what you like). Salah who had been injured in last year’s final stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot kick. There was nothing the Spurs goal keeper Iloris could do but pick the ball out of the net.

To be fair to Tottenham they actually played a lot better than Liverpool and had most of the possession. However, they were unable to create that clear cut opportunity in the Liverpool half and struggled at times to get Kane involved in the game. To be brutally honest Kane should never have started the game and I believe Pochettino made the wrong decision with his team selection. It’s easy to understand why neutrals and Spurs fans alike questioned Moura’s omission from the starting eleven.

We can argue all day about the manager’s preferences however, the night belongs to the team that scores the most goals. And on the 1st June 2019, that team was Liverpool. Origi capped of a memorable night for this group of Liverpool players when he added a second for the reds late in the second half on the 87th minute. Tottenham knew it was over by then and so too did the boys in Red.

It had been a wonderful campaign for both clubs (more so Spurs giving their route to the final) and what a conclusion to another year of football, although there is a smalll matter of the super cup to settle between Liverpool and Chelsea (after the latter beat Arsenal in the Europa League final) in the coming months. For now it’s holiday season (SUN, SEA and SANGRIA beckons!!!).

Congratulations once again to Liverpool and commiserations to Tottenham who endeavoured  but couldn’t quite get over the line. We anticipate a summer of major signings with a plethora of movers and shakers no doubt. One thing is for sure all the big teams will strengthen up again and will be back competing for the major honours. It’s been a majic season and I cannot wait for it to go off again in august. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!!

LIVERPOOL CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE 2019!!!