Liverpool vs Real Madrid: UCL Final Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Dream11 Predictions

Liverpool vs Real Madrid is the final match of this year's UEFA Champions League. Klopp's Liverpool looks to continue to cement their legacy as European powerhouse with another UCL win. While Real Madrid will be gunning for another UCL trophy showing the world why they are biggest club in Europe.

The best of the best on the ultimate stage. 🙌

🔴🏆⚪️@LFC | @realmadrid | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/nWMv7oKArH

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 28, 2022

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Match Preview:

Los Merengues boss Carlo Ancelotti has his sights set on winning a record-breaking fourth Champions League title as a manager, but the Reds will be out to give him a ride for his money.

Despite falling a single point short of bitter rivals Manchester City in one of the fiercest Premier League title races in recent years, Jurgen Klopp's lads could still claim a treble of cup successes this season.

It all promises a mouth-watering final in Paris, as Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah already took to Twitter to start a pre-match talking battle by saying – "We're not done yet."

We're not done yet. pic.twitter.com/IiBuC0d9WN

— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 23, 2022

Salah still holds unpleasant memories from his last appearance in the Champions League final against Madrid.Sergio Ramos halted his contribution in the Kyiv showpiece in 2018 by sidelining him with a malicious tackle already in the first half. With the Egyptian superstar out of action early in the final, Madrid strolled to an overwhelming 3-1 victory in a match highlighted by Loris Karius' epic blunders.

It was the 13th time the newly-crowned La Liga champions were crowned the Champions League winners, marking Liverpool's third defeat in the competition's title-defining fixture.

Vengeance will be on the cards when two of Europe's best-achieving sides collide in Paris as Klopp seeks his second Champions League success in four years.

Team News:

Liverpool:

Having started to string together a consistent run of matches and improve his fitness levels, the luckless Thiago Alcantara headed straight down the tunnel before the end of the first half against Wolves after sustaining an Achilles injury.

Klopp was initially pessimistic about his chances of featuring in the final, but the Reds boss has since changed his tune, and there is renewed hope over Thiago's availability for the contest – whether he can play the full 90 or 120 minutes is another question entirely.

Always smiling, @LuisFDiaz19 😁

Check out the full gallery as the Reds trained at Stade de France on the eve of the #UCLfinal

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 27, 2022

On another bright note, Fabinho's hamstring injury is expected to let up in time after he returned to team training on Wednesday, while Joe Gomez should also be a part of the squad after bouncing back quickly from an ankle knock.

Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were both fit enough for places on the bench last weekend after their FA Cup final knocks and will expect to return to the first XI here, with the latter bagging the Reds' second to share the Golden Boot with Son Heung-min.

Diogo Jota is sure to make way for Salah, while Ibrahima Konate was largely at fault for Wolves' quickfire opener at the weekend, but the Champions League regular will aim to hold his spot over Joel Matip for the final.

However, cult hero Divock Origi has played his last game for the club after sustaining a muscular problem in training, meaning that there will be no farewell 2019 moment for the celebrated Belgian ahead of an anticipated free transfer to AC Milan.

Real Madrid:

In stark contrast, Real boss Ancelotti will hope to have everyone fit and available for his side's 17th European Cup/Champions League final, with David Alaba making his return to training in midweek following an adductor issue.

Alaba was absent from the squad to face Betis but should take his rightful place in the first XI here barring any setbacks – demoting Nacho Fernandez down to the bench in the process.

💬 @MrAncelotti#UCL | #APorLa14 pic.twitter.com/rH9RKbBSb8

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 27, 2022

Champions League veteran Marcelo has also shaken off fitness woes to make himself available but will once again play second fiddle to Ferland Mendy, while Eder Militao will expect to hold his spot despite calls for the Brazilian to be dropped.

As impressive as Eduardo Camavinga has been off the bench during Real's run to the final, the 19-year-old would only edge out Casemiro, Toni Kroos or Luka Modric should one member of the midfield trio pick up an injury before Saturday.

The Liverpool high line is made for the likes of Vinicius and Rodrygo to run in behind, but the latter's incredible impact as a substitute may tempt Ancelotti into continuing with Federico Valverde slightly further forward.

Another hat-trick for Benzema in the showpiece event would see him break the record for the most Champions League goals in a single campaign – currently held by Cristiano Ronaldo's 17 in 2013-14 – while he only needs to make the net ripple once to becoem the outright third-highest goalscorer in the competition as he sits level with Robert Lewandowski on 86.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Head to Head:

Real Madrid have a slight edge over Liverpool and have won four of the eight matches played between the two teams. Liverpool have managed three victories against Real Madrid and will need to level the scales on Saturday.

The previous meeting between the two teams took place last year and ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Both teams squandered chances on the day and will want to be more clinical this weekend.

Recent performances in all competitions:

Liverpool:

1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur

2-1 win over Aston Villa

6-5 win over Chelsea on penalties.

2-1 win over Southampton

3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers

Real Madrid:

3-1 win over Manchester City

1-0 loss against Atletico Madrid

6-0 win over Levante

1-1 draw against Cadiz

0-0 draw against Real Betis

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Predicted Line-ups:

Liverpool Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara; Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah

Real Madrid Predicted XI (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Ferland Mendy, Nacho, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal; Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric; Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema

LIV vs RM: Dream 11 Predictions: