Will striking duo start in tonight's game?
As the stage is set and preparations are wrapping up toward the all English final of Europe elite club competition in Madrid tonight, both teams would be looking to name a strong line-up for tonight's game as both teams would need the service of their point men.
The biggest question remains about the line-ups by some distance is whether or not Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Liverpool's Roberto Firmino will start tonight's final.
The England captain, who has scored 24 goals for Spurs this season, says he is “ready to go” after recovering from a damaged ligament to his left ankle in the first leg quarter-final match against Manchester City.
Pochettino said at the pre-match press conference on Friday that he is yet to make any final decision on as regards his starting line-up, with the team due to train that evening.
"It’s difficult, you need to take a decision and tomorrow is another decision, we have all the information – we will use every detail to try to win.You can use only 11 players from the beginning – that is the most painful situation."
Jurgen Klopp also confirmed Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is fit following a groin injury – although he did not specify whether the Brazilian would make the starting line-up suggesting that he wouldn't want to let Spurs know his line-up since he did not know theirs.
"If Poch afterwards says the exact line-up then call me and I will tell you our line-up as well, so if not then I thought I’d keep at least a few question marks open, but he’s fit, he trains. If nothing happens from the moment he left the plane to now because I didn’t see him since then, then he should be fine."
Tottenham out to put stamp on Champions League history - Lloris
Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris hopes to help Tottenham "stamp" their name in Champions League history as he aims to help the North London outfit lift the trophy in their maiden final of the competition. Having already captained France to glory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Lloris can complete an impressive double with victory over Liverpool on Saturday in Madrid.
Spurs produced a stunning comeback to eliminate Dutch champions Ajax on away goals and set up an all-English final in Europe's premier club competition, with the goalkeeper honoured to be leading the side out at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference Lori's said;
"First of all, it's a privilege to be part of this successful team.Winning the World Cup was a massive achievement and it would not be possible without the help of my team-mates, and it's the case for the Champions League final.
"I feel like someone with a lot of privilege, but the most difficult thing is ahead of us - the game tomorrow.We want to put everything possible in to win it and to put a stamp on Champions League history."
Lloris who described the comeback win over Ajax, when they were 2-0 down at half-time in the second leg, as the best moment of his Spurs career and hopes he can top that moment in Madrid when they'll be taking on Liverpool in the finals of the champions league. The 32-year-old said;
"The best example [of togetherness] was in Amsterdam after the game. This moment was one of the best moments in our Spurs career, obviously we want a better moment tomorrow after the game. As a professional athlete, I think it's important to enjoy the way you work."
Lloris of course would have to be at hand to stop Liverpool lethal trio and keep the hope of winning the champions league for Pochettino's men in their first ever final in Madrid on Saturday.
'He's at the top of the list' - Liverpool defensive duo wary of 'fantastic' Lucas Moura.
Tottenham might be playing in their first ever finals of Europe elite club competition, Liverpool fullback duo of Trent-Arnold and Robertson are under no illusions that Spurs are underdogs going into the encounter as both players have picked out Tottenham forward Lucas Moura as a major threat to Liverpool 's bid for Champions League glory in Madrid. The Brazilian who has been in brilliant form and have in the absence of injured talisman Harry Kane being the hero in the semi-finals for Mauricio Pochettino's side, scoring a hat-trick to overcome Ajax on away goals after Spurs had been 2-0 down at half-time in the second leg of the tie at Amsterdam.
Though the english-man may be fit to return for the final, with Mauricio Pochettino yet to disclose whether or not he will bring the striker back into starting line-up.
Arnold who of course have faced Lucas on several occasions in the premier league
spoke of the forward's quality though also aware of the treats Tottenham pose as a team aside the in-form Brazilian. Arnold while speaking at the press conference said;
"[Lucas] Moura's at the top of the list in terms of their best players, we're used to how he plays and how Tottenham play as a team. It's not about us singling out players. As a team they've showed their quality."
Fellow full-back Robertson agreeing with his team-mate also had this to say: "Lucas was the hero at Ajax. He's a fantastic player with fantastic qualities. We've come up against him before and it's all about trying to deal with that."
Both full-backs were part of the Liverpool team that lost to Real Madrid in Kiev in 2018 finals would be looking to go one better when they take on spurs in this year's final as they wouldn't be taking anything for granted.
The Scottish captain said;
"I personally don't think they [Tottenham] are underdogs. The games we've had in the Premier League against them are the toughest we've played, they can cause us problems, but we can cause them problems too - as with any team. It's about who shows up better on the day".
Liverpool are not favourites against Tottenham in the Champions League final - Jurgen Klopp claims.
Although Tottenham Hotspur are widely perceived to be underdogs for the showpiece in Madrid, but the Reds boss does not feel that is the case as he feels
Liverpool are not favourites against Tottenham in the Champions League final, to be played in Madrid on Saturday. Speaking in the pre-match press conference Jurgen Klopp has this to say;
"If I thought Tottenham had an advantage I would be mad," Klopp told a news conference on Friday. I know people say we are the favourites because we have more points in the league.
"But if you saw our games against Tottenham this season, it was only 2-1. There's no advantage before the game.”
Spurs are widely perceived to be underdogs for Saturday's clash, after finishing 26 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League.
Mauricio Pochettino has led Tottenham to their first European Cup/Champions League final while Liverpool are bidding for their sixth crown, although they have not won any silverware under the German having lost in all three finals they've played in.
Jurgen Klopp also has this to say about his Argentine counterpart and Tottenham Hotspur.
"We have two proper football teams in the final. I respect a lot what Poch did.
"He had a very talented group when he came here. How they have improved has been really impressive. It's a real football final – both have to deal with that."
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