LIVERPOOL have been beaten by Real Madrid in a champions League final for the second time in five seasons.
Vinicius Jr tapped home from close range in the second half to give the Spaniards victory in Paris.
It could have been worse for the Reds, who had a lucky escape after a defensive mix-up saw Karim Benzema tap the ball into the net in the first half.
However, the linesman flagged the goal offside and VAR agreed with his decision, despite Fabinho being shown to have had the final touch, as the Brazilian was adjudged to have deflected the ball rather than making deliberate contact with it.
But Liverpool battled back into the game well and may well have forced extra time but for a string of stupendous saves from Thibaut Courtois.
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Mane thanks: Sadio signs off?
Sadio Mane promised to announce his plans for the future in the aftermath of the Champions League final, and he now appears to have given the biggest indication yet that his future lies away from Anfield.
The Senegalese star spoke emotionally after the 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in Paris, and thanked both Liverpool’s supporters and manager Jurgen Klopp before offering his best wishes for the future.
It was a tricky game tonight, and we are disappointed. The fans have been amazing, I want to thank them for everything and the boss, I wish this team all the success in the world
Sadio Mane
‘Disappointed’ Reds request formal investigation
Liverpool Football Club have released a statement expressing their ‘huge disappointment’ at the scenes before kick-off that marred Saturday’s Champions League Final.
Supporters reported having to queue outside the stadium for hours, and were the subject of dangerous crowd control in which the police used tear gas on groups of fans that included women and children.
It read: “We are hugely disappointed at the stadium entry issues and breakdown of the security perimeter that Liverpool fans faced this evening at Stade de France.
“This is the greatest match in European football and supporters should not have to experience the scenes we have witnessed tonight.
“We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues.”
UEFA delayed the game by 36 minutes, and cited both supporters arriving at the venue late and those trying to gain access with fake tickets as the reasons.
Klopp: Book up the hotel
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp vowed that his beaten side would be back next season to challenge for the Champions League after defeat to Real Madrid in Paris.
The German pointed to the outstanding character of his players, and the history they have in bouncing back from disappointment to triumph the following season.
I’m the only one in the dressing room [who has perspective]. I said to the boys after we lost in Basel and Kyiv: “It’s not bad to get to the final. It’s already kind of success.” I have a strong feeling that we come again. The boys are really competitive, we have an outstanding group together. We go again. Where’s the final next year? Istanbul? Book the hotel.
Jurgen Klopp
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 28: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, interacts with the crowd after their sides defeat in the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Klopp: Not a perfect game
Jurgen Klopp was disappointed yet proud and pragmatic as he spoke to BT Sport after the game.
The Liverpool boss admitted his team performed admirably, but didn’t do enough to break down Real Madrid’s stubborn defence.
Nobody in the dressing room feels like it’s a great season at the moment. It will take a few hours. We played a good game, but not a perfect game. I don’t think a perfect game would have been a possible against a team playing with such a deep formation.
We had a lot of shots, but they weren’t the clearest chances. Courtois made some top saves, and then we conceded a goal. The boys tried absolutely everything, especially at 1-0 down. We wanted to be braver in the second half. We should have played more in the formation that around.
Jurgen Klopp
Real ready for lift off
Marcelo didn’t make it on to the pitch this evening, but Real Madrid’s long-serving Brazilian is front and centre for the celebrations.
Los Blancos’ club captain is last up to the winners’ podium having received the Champions League trophy, and joins his teammates in eager anticipation.
After a dramatic pause, Marcelo thrusts the European Cup into the air, and sets off a sea of white confetti and exploding fireworks.
Ancelotti: I am the record man
Not only have Real Madrid have won a record 14th European title, but their manager Carlo Ancelotti also now has more Champions League wins to his name than any other coach.
The Italian has picked up his fourth winners’ medal. His second success with Real to go with the two triumphs he had at AC Milan.
I cannot believe it, we’ve had a fantastic season! It was a difficult game, and we had to suffer a lot – more in the first half. I think with all the games we’ve played, we deserved to win the competition. I am a record man. In the Champions League, I have the luck.
Carlo Ancelotti
Courtois: I needed to win
Thibaut Courtois put in a man of the match display to help Real Madrid win the Champions League final in Paris, and then afterwards blasted the English fans who had written his career off.
The Belgian made a record nine saves this evening as he kept a clean sheet, and kept out both Sadio Mane and Mo Salah with sensational stops in either half.
When Madrid play finals, they win it and I’m on the good side of history. Today I needed to win a final for my career, for all the hard work, and to put respect on my name because I don’t think I have enough respect – especially in England. I had a lot of criticism even after a great season, I was still told that I’m not good enough. I’m really happy and proud of the team. We stuck to it, and when I needed to be there, I was there for the team.
Thibaut Courtois
Match stats from the final
Beaten Champions League finalists Liverpool registered nine on target attempts on the Real Madrid goal…
…and Thibaut Courtois saved the lot.
Pool blank again on big stage
Liverpool have now competed in three finals this season – and for the third time they have failed to trouble the scorers.
And unlike the previous two, the Reds were unable to see the contest through to extra-time and penalties.
- League Cup Final: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool win 11-10 on pens)
- FA Cup Final: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool win 6-5 on pens)
- Champions League FInal: Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
Credit: @OptaAnalyst Twitter
The Real deal in finals
Since the European Cup rebranded as the Champions League in 1992, Real Madrid have reached eight finals – and they’ve won the lot.
Credit: @Squawka Twitter Full time – Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have won the Champions League!
Few gave the Spanish giants a chance when they were beaten at home by Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol in September, but Carlo Ancelotti’s team have rallied – and defied the odds over and over again.
To win this competition, Real have beaten the French champions, the European champions, the English champions, and one of the best teams in the world: Liverpool.
For the 14th time, Los Blancos are champions of Europe.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
90+5. Van Dijk is up front, playing as a centre forward, and Liverpool have one last chance to grab an equaliser.
The Reds go long, and pump a ball from the left into a packed penalty area where…
…it is plucked out of the air by Courtois.
It’s the most fitting way for this final to end.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Real Madrid substitution
90+2. The Spaniards eat up a few more seconds with a change.
It’s Rodrygo for Vinicus Junior.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
90+1. A chance for Ceballos to seal the game on the break, but he loses all composure as soon as he gets inside the penalty area.
There’s still time for Liverpool.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
90. There will be five minutes of stoppage time.
Can Liverpool find an equaliser? Or has Real’s name been written on this cup since they lost to Sheriff Tiraspol in September?
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Real Madrid substitution
89. A second change for Real.
Luka Modric has played every minute of his four previous Champions League finals, but he’s not going to see this one out.
Former Arsenal man Dani Ceballos is on for the Croatian.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
88. It’s not just reflex saves. Courtois shows he is cool under pressure, claiming a Liverpool corner with two hands despite Konate breathing down his neck.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
86. Thibaut Courtois has now made more saves – nine – than any other goalkeeper in any other Champions League final. Ever.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Real Madrid substitution
85. A first change for Carlo Ancelotti and co.
On comes the talented Eduardo Camavinga, and off goes Federico Valverde.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Salah chance!
83. What an incredible save from Courtois! That’s the best of the lot!
Salah does absolutely everything right, controlling a ball over the top beautifully, spinning away beyond Mendy, and then striking back across goal.
The shot looks destined for the top corner until Real’s stopper sticks out a hand and tips the ball wide.
Sensational.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Keita chance!
81. A big chance for Liverpool! And a big miss from Keita!
And when I say big miss, I do mean a big miss.
The substitute has space and time to consider his options as Firmino pulls a cross back to the edge of the box, but inexplicably goes with the outside of his right foot and sends it towards the corner flag.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
80. Almost! Diogo Jota deflects a miscued Salah shot goalwards, but again Courtois comes to Real’s rescue.
The Belgian quickly adjusts himself to push the ball away.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Liverpool substitutions
77. Here we go! Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino are on, and it’s Jordan Henderson and Thiago that depart.
It means the Reds now have four forwards on the pitch.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
75. What happened there?!
Liverpool got their offside trap all wrong as they defended a free-kick, and it left Casemiro completely unmarked on through on goal.
However, that’s nothing compares to what happens next.
Rather than shooting, Casemiro instead flicks a pass back to a teammate that’s not there, and the chance disappears.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
73. Liverpool are preparing a double substitution with Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino both waiting to come on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
