Champions League Final Thoughts
The Reds dominate on cup final date, but defeat leaves us all in a state. The forward line is dealt a blow as striker decides he wants to go. Fans with tickets locked out, is enough to make you scream and shout. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The Champions League final reviewed at Liverpool Football Club.
The Good
The fact that for large parts of yesterday’s game, Liverpool dominated and could have been a couple of goals to the good. In addition, Real Madrid’s ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois kept Los Blancos in the game with a string of fine saves. To the extent that the Belgian was voted Player of The Match, with the game finishing 1-0 to Real.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for a Liverpool side who felt they could and should have got more from the game. To think that the Reds had nine shots on goal – four or five of which were kept out by magnificent saves, and lost out to Real’s solitary effort.
Many will ping the finger at Trent Alexander-Arnold for leaving Real forward Vinicius Jr enough room to tap in what proved to be the winner. But to be fair, Liverpool should have been out of sight by then anyway. It’s all academic now.
Thibaut Courtois deserves to be the Man Of the Match tonight. Such an awesome performance.#ChampionsLeagueFinal #LIVRMA #LiverpoolVsRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/cBGzlaQhwQ
— Fetkay (@Fetkay1) May 28, 2022
Real are a class act. Experienced. Clinical. Smart. I believe they’re the only team in the world who could have beaten Liverpool yesterday. Mo Salah tested the ex-Chelsea stopper countless times. Sadio Mané had his shot tipped on to the post.
When all is said and done, it is what it is. A gallant effort from the team. They just fell a tad short on the night. This was the last of 63 games played this season so to perform the way they did, is worthy of nothing but admiration and huge respect.
The Bad
News from Mané’s agent Fabriano Romano that his client will be leaving the club at the end of this season. In effect, immediately. Sky Sports have reported however, that no such statement has been made
The Senegalese international has scored 120 goals in 249 games for the Reds since signing from Southampton in 2016 for a reported fee of £34m. Together with Salah and Roberto Firmino the trio have formed one of the most prolific striking partnerships in recent times. During his tenure he has helped the club win the Premier League, Champions League, World Club Cup, Super Cup and this season, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Sadio Mané has decided to leave Liverpool this summer 🚨🔴 #LFC
He’s ready for a new experience after many special years with Reds – it will be confirmed to the club.
FC Bayern are strong contenders – but it’s still open and not completed as Sadio wanted to wait for the final. pic.twitter.com/hr6R5NmuZ0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2022
His absence will be sorely missed if he does go. Thanks Sadio and all the best for the remainder of your career. I’m still be open to he’s staying
The Ugly
This without doubt, has to be the treatment of Liverpool fans by the French police before yesterday’s game. Reports suggest that fans WITH TICKETS were set upon by police, such was the ineptitude, confusion and lack of control displayed of the French authorities.
Pepper spraying fans outside stadium in Paris pic.twitter.com/drgzEpR9gD
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) May 28, 2022
Footage on social media shows fans being indiscriminately attacked by police even after showing their tickets.
“The entrance to the stadium and the organisation of perimeter security was absolutely unacceptable and frankly the treatment of our fans as well.”
Liverpool FC Chief Executive Billy Hogan called the scenes “unacceptable” and added the club are “… intent on ensuring that there is an independent investigation…”
This incident just shows the (low) regard English fans are held in, in some respects. My only hope is that those affected have been able return home safely.
So the end of another season. Two cups won, one missed out on and losing the Premiership (again) by one point. Let’s have a break and reconvene in mid-August.
YNWA
