UCL Final: Spurs on brink of greatest achievement as Liverpool aim to end losing run

The long-awaited UEFA Champions League is upon us, with Premier League rivals, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, taking the centre stage in Madrid tonight (Saturday).

Spurs are in the final of the competition for the first time in their history, and are on the brink of their greatest ever achievement.

The Mauricio Pochettino side have not won any trophy for the past 11 years, with their most recent silverware the 2008 League Cup.

The Reds on the other hand have won the European Cup/Champions League title five times, with the last one won in 2005.

The Jurgen Klopp side have since reached the final twice, but lost to AC Milan in 2007 and to Real Madrid in 2018. They go again, to perhaps right the wrongs of their previous attempts.

Klopp, who has lost six finals in a row, said on Friday: “All the circumstances were different, the teams were different.

“If I were the reason for losing six finals then everyone needs to worry. Last year was a world-class goal and two strange goals we normally don’t concede which defeated us.

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“My career so far is not unlucky. I haven’t a problem with my career. My wife always asks me when the final game of the season is because since 2012, apart from 2017, my teams have been in finals.

“I don’t see myself as a loser and we would have a problem if I did.”

On whether England striker, Harry Kane, will be on the starting lineup, Spurs boss Pochettino said he is yet to make a final decision.

“It’s difficult, you need to take a decision and tomorrow is another decision,” he said.

“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.”

This is the second time the Champions League final will be between two Premier League clubs, with the last one being between Chelsea and Manchester United, who won on penalties.

Tonight’s clash will be at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium by 8:00pm Nigeria time.

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