In the 60s, Liverpool had the Fab Four, and they went on to produce countless hits in the music world. On Sunday morning (our time) in Kiev, Liverpool FC fans may be singing the praises of a trio of footballers who, up till now, have been unstoppable in the Champions League competition, scoring 29 goals between them in Liverpool’s record-breaking 40 goal tally in the campaign thus far.

The front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have cut a swathe through the most resolute of defences in the tournament so far. They could be the key to countering the advantage in experience their opponents Real Madrid will have in Sunday morning’s Champions League final.

The final in Kiev brings together two of the most storied clubs in world football with Real Madrid dominating the competition over the last two years, and looking to make it a hat-trick under coach Zinedine Zidane. Should the Spanish giant win, it will be their 13th European Champions Title.

Liverpool is England’s best performed team in the history of the competition having won it five times, the last being in 2005 when they scored that miraculous come from behind win against AC Milan.

Liverpool’s manager that day was Rafael Benitez, and he has also managed Real Madrid. In the lead-up to Sunday’s final, his comments were eagerly sought. He said “Liverpool’s intensity can hurt you but Real Madrid have the experience and quality to match them. It’ll be interesting. You’ll see a team with lots of passion and intensity and a lot of pressing and crossing and fast counter-attacking against opponents who can manage this kind of situation.”

If there is one advantage that Madrid could have, it’s that most of the team under current coach Zidane have been to the big event and emerged triumphantly twice, before whereas for all the Liverpool players it will be their first European Champions League final. Klopp too is yet to win a European final.

Benitez says, “Liverpool can do it. They have the quality. But sometimes in these kinds of games you pay for one mistake. It’s how you manage the pressure. Real Madrid have been managing this kind of pressure for a while and Liverpool are in a new situation, so it’s a fine balance.”

Much will depend on how well Real Madrid can manage Liverpool’s ability to counterattack at lightning pace and how well they can defend out wide on the flanks. It will be interesting to see how the Reds’ Mo Salah is instructed to play, whether he is given the freedom from defensive responsibility and how far forward his direct opponent Marcelo will venture. Likewise, Madrid may attempt to target Liverpool’s attacking right back Alexander-Arnold as Roma did.

Expect Madrid’s Tony Kroos and Luka Modric to try and control the tempo of the game. Liverpool is a team happy to cede possession because they know they can transition with devastating effect. Madrid will probably enjoy more possession than they did against Bayern in the semi.

Liverpool, on the other hand, will try and keep the tempo high and not allow Kross and Modric to pick out forward runs. For Liverpool, while their front three have rightly won the plaudits, their midfield duo of Henderson and James Milner have provided innumerable assists this season.

Madrid are expected to start with Ronaldo and Benzema up front as Ronaldo seems to work best off Benzema. But they have awesome firepower in reserve with Bale and Asensio off the bench. They’ll surely test Liverpool’s defence which has looked a lot more solid since the arrival of Van Dijk.

The match promises to be an exciting match between two teams of great attacking quality.

Kick-off is at 4.45 am Sunday morning AEST.

TEAM NEWS
Liverpool predicted XI (4-3-3): Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
Injury concerns: Adam Lallana and Emre Can return form injury, while Joel Matip, Nathaniel Clyne and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain out.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Injury concerns: No injury concerns for Madrid, with the likes of Bale, Vazquez and Asensio expected to start on the bench and make an impact.