UCL Final: Liverpool vs Real Madrid Match Preview

Liverpool Comfortably Favored over Real Madrid

The moment club soccer fans have been waiting for is finally here as Liverpool takes on Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final Saturday. A rematch of an electric 2018 final, Real Madrid and Liverpool are two of the most successful clubs in the history of the tournament. Real defeated Liverpool 3-1 four years ago but Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are the favorites this time around. We’ll run through the important facts and figures to be aware of in this Liverpool vs Real Madrid match preview.

Champions League Final – Liverpool vs Real Madrid Game Info:

• Location: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
• Date & Time: Saturday May 28th, 3:00 p.m. ET
• TV: CBS

Head-to-Head

Last Five Meetings:

• Apr 2021: Liverpool 0-0 Real Madrid
• Apr 2021: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
• May 2018: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
• Nov 2014: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
• Oct 2014: Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid knocked Liverpool out of the UCL last season as they won 3-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. Liverpool were dealing with a bunch of injuries at the time but both teams are nearly at full strength heading into the 2022 UCL final.

Klopp’s team is winless in its last five tries against Real Madrid and last defeated Los Blancos thirteen years ago.

Liverpool Have Sights on Treble

• Form (All Competitions): W,W,W*,W,D
• Injuries and Suspensions: F Divock Origi (Muscle), M Thiago Alcantara (Hamstring)

Liverpool’s Premier League season ended in bittersweet fashion as they defeated the Wolves 3-1 but missed out on the EPL title. A late Man City comeback gave the Citizens their second straight Premier League winners’ medal. It also dashed Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.

Still, if Liverpool defeats Real Madrid, they’ll have won three of four possible trophies this season. Mo Salah, Liverpool’s key man, is coming off a Premier League golden boot and playmaker win. Side Note: (He lost out on the Player of the Season trophy to Man City’s Kevin de Bruyne). Salah is fully recovered from a muscle injury and he and Sadio Mane will be the main attacking threats. Liverpool opened at -105 odds to win but now sit at +105.

This Liverpool vs Real Madrid match preview wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Virgil van Dijk is healthy and available for selection on Saturday. Note: Clutch backup striker Divock Origi looks set to miss out, while midfielder Thiago is a doubt. Thiago’s absence would sting as he’s often been Liverpool’s best midfielder this season.

*0-0 draw, defeated Chelsea 6-5 in penalties in FA Cup final.

Real Madrid: Comeback Kings

• Form (All Competitions): D,D,W,L,W
• Injuries and Suspensions: D Marcelo (Leg)

Real Madrid became the first team to advance to a Champions League final after losing a match in each previous knockout round. They’ve completed unimaginable comebacks on multiple occasions to the point that it’s become a habit. None were better than their semifinal triumph over Manchester City in which Rodrygo scored two goals in the dying embers to send the fixture into extra time.

There, Karim Benzema scored the winning penalty and he’s also coming off a La Liga golden boot victory. Los Blancos are also going for a third trophy this season, as they’ve already won La Liga and the Supercopa de España. The shelf life of the Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro midfield may be limited but they’re still world class. Real also had the second-best defense in La Liga this season and has a diminutive talisman in winger Vinicius Jr.

The Champions League final betting odds price a Real Madrid victory at +250 but the odds have shifted from their opening +275. Bettors seem to be gaining in confidence in Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who have won the most UCL titles in history.

What to Watch For

It’s hard to overstate what an excellent matchup this is. It features two of the most successful teams in UCL history, world class managers, La Liga and Premier League golden boot winners and Ballon d’Or candidates. This matchup has it all, and with how Real Madrid’s previous matches have gone, drama should perhaps be expected.

Liverpool are expected to be on the front foot and their relentless pressing style of play may take some time to get adjusted to. Expect the Reds to have more of the ball but Real are incredibly dangerous when they do have it. Thiago’s status is worth monitoring as it would certainly weaken Liverpool’s midfield and make life easier for Luka Modric.

We couldn’t end our Liverpool vs Real Madrid match preview without running through some of the odds. Liverpool sits at -170 to lift the trophy, while Real are listed at +140. Both teams are expected to score in normal time, at -180 odds and the over (2½) is implied as more likely at -135. Four goals were scored when these teams met in the final in 2018. A draw is listed at +275 and the last final to go 120 minutes was when Real defeated Atletico Madrid in penalties in 2016.