2022 Champions League final Liverpool vs Real Madrid: possible starting lineups

As we reach the end of another long season, two teams remain in the quest to be Champions of Europe, and they just so happen to be two of the most successful clubs in the history of the competition. Liverpool have been crowned six times, losing in three finals, while Real Madrid hold the record of 13 titles, also having been runners-up on three occasions.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: UCL final 2022

The Reds face Madrid in Paris on Saturday 28 May in what will be the third time that these two giants of world football have met in the showpiece final.

Back in 1981, the Reds overcame their Spanish rivals by a single Alan Kennedy goal in the final that also took place in the French capital. Revenge was served up in 2018 when Zinedine Zidane’s Blancos took advantage of a goalkeeping nightmare in Kiev, one that included a brace from Gareth Bale. Who will be the players that we remember from the 2022 final many years from now? Let’s begin by assessing the likely starting elevens.

Liverpool: possible starting XI

Jürgen Klopp has taken the Anfield club from also rans to domestic and continental champions over the last few years, and has them featuring in their third final in five seasons. Already in the bag this campaign are the two English cups and the Reds were in the running for the Premier League title until the final seconds of the 38-game competition.

The spine of the team’s success has been settled for a while now, with the likes of Alisson, Van Dijk, Fabinho and Salah adding their own world-class elements to a slick and functioning side. This season, however, Klopp has finally fulfilled his objective of adding strength in depth, having developed arguably the best squad in the league, adding the stunning talent of Luis Díaz. The record-breaking feat of playing in every single game available to them testifies to what has been built. Here’s how I see them lining up for the final, injuries permitting:

LFC XI: Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Mané, Diaz

With different attacking options in Firmino and Jota on the bench, Klopp will be able to react if things are not going to plan.

Real Madrid: possible starting XI

Carlo Ancelotti has surpassed most people’s expectations this season. A Champions League final along with a relative stroll to the LaLiga title was not on the cards for all but the tightest of scarf-wearers when the Italian left Everton to take over in Madrid. Now they have a chance to be European Champions for a 14th time and few would argue against it given that they had to get past PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City en route to Paris.

In none of those ties did Los Blancos begin as favourites and the same applies in the final. But there is something special, something magical, about the relationship this Spanish giant has with this competition. And after what has been witnessed before, only a fool would rule them out. Here’s my prediction at their line-up.

RMA XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Mendy, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Valverde, Benzema, Vinícius

Changing things up in an attacking sense could come from the talent of Asensio or semi-final hero Rodrygo.