Liverpool are Kings of Europe Again
Liverpool capped off their historic 2018-19 campaign in impressive fashion as the Redmen sunk Premier League rival Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid to secure their sixth European crown. The victory was particularly special for the Merseyside club after narrowly missing out on the ever elusive Premier League title to rival Manchester City by a single point three weeks earlier. The win also marked the first trophy for the club under German manager Jurgen Klopp, who has vindicated himself after falling short in his last two trips to European finals the last couple of years.
Klopp and Co. were able to ride the momentum from their emphatic 4-0 second leg semi-final comeback victory over Barcelona into the final. The match started with a bang when a Sadio Mane pass ricocheted off the outstretched arm of Spurs midfielder Moussa Sissoko in the 2nd minute, awarding Liverpool an early penalty. Mohamed Salah left no doubt as he confidently converted from the spot to put the Reds up 1-0. The next 85 minutes of play left much to be desired as Liverpool hunkered down defensively to repel the increasingly anxious Spurs attack. The result was sealed, however, when late substitute Divock Origi continued his spectacular Champion’s League form by slotting home a failed Spurs clear attempt off a corner in the 87th minute. Despite having a considerable edge in possession, Spurs was unable to unlock the Liverpool defense who, led by Allison, Virgil Van Dijk, Fabinho, and their supporting cast, was unflappable - earning a well deserved clean sheet to ensure the Champion’s League trophy returned to Anfield.
Liverpool’s incredible run through the Champion’s League was one for the ages. After beating PSG in the group stage, Bayern Munich in the round of 16, crushing Porto in the quarters, and executing one of their all-time greatest Anfield performances against Barcelona in the semi-finals, the decisive victory against Spurs in the Cup Final was truly poetic. Now that Liverpool sit upon the European throne it will be interesting to see what changes they choose to make in the off-season. The Reds first team is clearly world class, but to defend their European title and challenge for their first Premier League title since 1990 they will surely look to bolster their squad depth.
