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| Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool: Champions League final – live! | Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool: Champions League final – live! |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| “As a Spurs fan you wonder how many ways we can invent to shoot ourselves in the foot,” drawls Mike Nagle. “Sissoko has been great all season but to flail your arms around in the penalty area is dumb. The match needs to liven up. I hope Kane gets a hat trick but it was equally dumb to start him & leave out Moura, the hat trick hero. If you had to include Kane leave Ali out, he has been poor most of the season. Here’s hoping for a better second half.” | |
| “I hope Spurs come back and win simply because I want Liverpool to go down in history as the only team to lose two Champions League finals in a row,” snips Greg Rollins, who just doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Juventus and Valencia have previously lose two finals in a row. | |
| In the BT studio, all the talk is about the penalty decision, partly because there’s not been much else to discuss apart from the non-performances of so many fine players. All the pundits- except Glenn Hoddle - think giving a penalty was the right decision because Sissoko’s arm was outstretched (he was pointing at a position where he wanted a teammate to go) and therefore he blocked Mane’s pass illegally. Hoddle contends that that might have been a fair interpretation if the ball had struck his arm directly but since it rebounded on to his arm off his chest, it’s a bad call. | |
| “I live for the final, the showpiece, on many occasions it lets you down, but it’s still unmissable,” says Bernard Folan. “This game is simply abysmal. While not a fan of spurs, if they could string two passes together they could win this. Danny Rose is the only player not afraid of the situation, fair balls to him. Pochettino could win this, winks off, Moura on.” Or Kane off. | |
| Liverpool go for their tea with a one-goal lead thanks to Salah’s penalty in the first minute. But there’s not much else for them to be pleased about because this has been a messy half in which Spurs have passed slightly better. It was jittery fare and quite a grim spectacle, evidence that the three-week buildup was too long: can’t help thinking that if this match had been played one week after the end of the Premier League, it would have been a more vibrant affair. Kane and Firmino wouldn’t have been fit for that, of course, but neither of them have had any impact here so far. Let’s hope for a big improvement in the second half from both teams. Victory is there for either one, even if Liverpool currently have the edge. | |
| 45 min: Another Spurs attacking initiated by Son concludes with Eriksen shanking a shot 10 yards over from the edge of the area. Symptomatic off a dreadful first half, truth be told. | |
| 44 min: Spurs spring forward on a three-on-three attack! But Alli botches it by overhitting a pass intended for Son. That’s easy pickings for Alisson. | |
| 43 min: A change of strategy as Salah takes the corner. He might not get another one, as this went straight to Son at the near post. The Korean walloped it away. | |
| 41 min: Vertonghen is back in the action, just in time to see Liverpool elevate the quality of this game a tad. After promising bursts by Henderson and Firmino, Alexander-Arnold wins a corner, which he takes himself. Spurs scramble it out for another one, on the far side. | |
| 39 min: Vertonghen is receiving treatment, seemingly to an injured elbow. he looks to be in quite a bit of pain. | |
| 38 min: Thats more like it! Matip spoon a decent pass wide to Robertson on the left. The Scot hurries forward and unloads a stinging shot from distance that Lloris pushes over with one hand! | |
| 37 min: Truth be told, this has been only marginally better than the first half of Arsenal-Chelsea the other day. It’s all very well English teams hogging all the final spots, but it’s be nice if they put on a bette show than this. | |
| 35 min: Superb play by Henderson, up to a point. He did well to cut out a loose lofted pass by Alderweireld inside the Tottenham half, and then cleverly headed into space where he could run on to it himself down the right. But then he spaffed his cross out of play. | |
| 34 min: Kane, who’s barely been involved so far, flicks the ball on to Son, Spurs’ most dangerous player. Two Liverpool players converge on him near the byline and deflect his cross out of play. | |
| 32 min: Sissoko, in the D, tries to slip a pass through to Son, dashing in from the left. Matip makes a critical interception. | |
| 30 min: It’s been a strange game. Quite slow, possibly because of the heat, and a little scruffy, possibly because of nerves. You get the feeling that if one team can truly pull themselves together, they could take this game away from the opposition. Liverpool have the lead but aren’t really flowing. | |
| 27 min: A Foul on Mané gives Liverpool a freekick about 35 yards out, bang central. Alexander-Arnold fancies it. But he doesn’t shoot, instead he drops a cross to where he hoped runners would be. But there was no one there. | 27 min: A Foul on Mané gives Liverpool a freekick about 35 yards out, bang central. Alexander-Arnold fancies it. But he doesn’t shoot, instead he drops a cross to where he hoped runners would be. But there was no one there. |
| 25 min: A pause in play as Trippier receives treatment after being caught by Robertson. Nothing much to it. By the way, regarding the penalty in the first minute: if they’re going to be giving spotkicks for handballs in that situation - Sissoko could not get out of the way - then expect players to start aiming for opponents’ hands from close range. | 25 min: A pause in play as Trippier receives treatment after being caught by Robertson. Nothing much to it. By the way, regarding the penalty in the first minute: if they’re going to be giving spotkicks for handballs in that situation - Sissoko could not get out of the way - then expect players to start aiming for opponents’ hands from close range. |
| 24 min: Another Liverpool corner. Another delivery by Alexander-Arnold, this time short to Henderson, who whips it in. Winks heads clear. | 24 min: Another Liverpool corner. Another delivery by Alexander-Arnold, this time short to Henderson, who whips it in. Winks heads clear. |
| 23 min: Robertson sends over a fine cross from the left. His counterpart, Rose, does brilliantly to clear it at the backpost. Liverpool are improving ... | 23 min: Robertson sends over a fine cross from the left. His counterpart, Rose, does brilliantly to clear it at the backpost. Liverpool are improving ... |
| 22 min: Lloris gets a good punch to Alexander-Arnold’s delivery, which was deposited right on top of the keeper. They appear to have identified the keeper as a weakness. | 22 min: Lloris gets a good punch to Alexander-Arnold’s delivery, which was deposited right on top of the keeper. They appear to have identified the keeper as a weakness. |
| 21 min: Salah scurries infield from the left and swaps passes with Firmino before opening fire from 20 yards. His shot is deflected behind for a corner. | 21 min: Salah scurries infield from the left and swaps passes with Firmino before opening fire from 20 yards. His shot is deflected behind for a corner. |
| 20 min: Spurs are exerting serious pressure around the box now. They’ve got their passing going and are making Liverpool look a little lethargic, as if they scored too early. | 20 min: Spurs are exerting serious pressure around the box now. They’ve got their passing going and are making Liverpool look a little lethargic, as if they scored too early. |
| 19 min: Sissoko does well to get between Robertson and the ball as the Scot flew down the left. Then the Frenchman sees it out of play for a goalkick. | 19 min: Sissoko does well to get between Robertson and the ball as the Scot flew down the left. Then the Frenchman sees it out of play for a goalkick. |
| 17 min: Fabinho wins the ball in midfield and nudges it to Henderson, who brings Alexander-Arnold into lay. From 30 yards wide on the right the youngster unleashes a stinging low drive, which whistle just past the post. | 17 min: Fabinho wins the ball in midfield and nudges it to Henderson, who brings Alexander-Arnold into lay. From 30 yards wide on the right the youngster unleashes a stinging low drive, which whistle just past the post. |
| 16 min: It’s quite a slow game at the minute. The onus is on Spurs to do something to discomfort Liverpool but so far they haven’t come up with anything despite having plenty of the ball. But Liverpool would be well advised to do more to get more of the ball. | 16 min: It’s quite a slow game at the minute. The onus is on Spurs to do something to discomfort Liverpool but so far they haven’t come up with anything despite having plenty of the ball. But Liverpool would be well advised to do more to get more of the ball. |
| 14 min: Vertonghen sprays a fine 60-yard crossfield pass to Tripper, who knocks it back to Eriksen. The Dane eschews the chance to cross it into the box, where several teammates were waiting, and instead plays it backwards, losing momentum. | 14 min: Vertonghen sprays a fine 60-yard crossfield pass to Tripper, who knocks it back to Eriksen. The Dane eschews the chance to cross it into the box, where several teammates were waiting, and instead plays it backwards, losing momentum. |
| 12 min: Matip clatters into Kane wide on the right. Not bad enough for a booking, and Spurs waste the freekick. | 12 min: Matip clatters into Kane wide on the right. Not bad enough for a booking, and Spurs waste the freekick. |
| 11 min: Mané wins a corner for Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold delivers. Lloris, surrounded by players, gets a weak punch on it, but a teammate completes the clearances, whacking it way downfield. | 11 min: Mané wins a corner for Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold delivers. Lloris, surrounded by players, gets a weak punch on it, but a teammate completes the clearances, whacking it way downfield. |
| 9 min: Dangerous dribbling by Son down the left and into the box. Lovely quick feet, almost reminiscent of Moura for his second goal against Ajax. Except that this time Henderson intervenes. When the ball breaks to a Spurs player 25 yards out, Sissoko smashes it high and wide. | 9 min: Dangerous dribbling by Son down the left and into the box. Lovely quick feet, almost reminiscent of Moura for his second goal against Ajax. Except that this time Henderson intervenes. When the ball breaks to a Spurs player 25 yards out, Sissoko smashes it high and wide. |
| 8 min: Spurs are having plenty of the ball, as Liverpool decide not to press high and instead lure their opponents forward and try to strike on the counter. | 8 min: Spurs are having plenty of the ball, as Liverpool decide not to press high and instead lure their opponents forward and try to strike on the counter. |
| 6 min: Alexander-Arnold, the youngest player to start successive finals in the history of the Champions League, does well to dispossess Alli and welly the ball clear. | 6 min: Alexander-Arnold, the youngest player to start successive finals in the history of the Champions League, does well to dispossess Alli and welly the ball clear. |
| 5 min: Tripper curls an in-swinging corner into the danger zone, where Van Dijk leaps above Veretonghen and heads clear. | 5 min: Tripper curls an in-swinging corner into the danger zone, where Van Dijk leaps above Veretonghen and heads clear. |
| 4 min: Spurs win a corner after Alli nicks the ball off Alexander-Arnold at the corner of the box. | 4 min: Spurs win a corner after Alli nicks the ball off Alexander-Arnold at the corner of the box. |
| 3 min: If this season’s Champions League has reminded us of anything, it’s that one-goal leads are nothing. Maybe Spurs will let in another two before they’re roused to action ... | 3 min: If this season’s Champions League has reminded us of anything, it’s that one-goal leads are nothing. Maybe Spurs will let in another two before they’re roused to action ... |
| The Egyptian hammers it past Lloris, who dived the right way but couldn’t stop it. | The Egyptian hammers it past Lloris, who dived the right way but couldn’t stop it. |
| What a start! Sissoko unintentionally blocked a pass by Mané with his arm! It hit his chest first and rebounded on to his arm. | What a start! Sissoko unintentionally blocked a pass by Mané with his arm! It hit his chest first and rebounded on to his arm. |
| 1 min: The 2019 Champions League final is go! Liverpool get it going, with Firmino knocking the ball backwards to Van Dijk, who spanks it wide towards the right-hand corner. | 1 min: The 2019 Champions League final is go! Liverpool get it going, with Firmino knocking the ball backwards to Van Dijk, who spanks it wide towards the right-hand corner. |
| Before kickoff, there is a minute’s applause in memory of José-Antonio Reyes, the former Arsenal player who died today in a car accident at the age of 35. | Before kickoff, there is a minute’s applause in memory of José-Antonio Reyes, the former Arsenal player who died today in a car accident at the age of 35. |
| “I’m at the O’Hare (Chicago) *international* terminal and the restaurant with two TVs is showing a baseball game and horse racing features,” wails Gregory Crawford. | “I’m at the O’Hare (Chicago) *international* terminal and the restaurant with two TVs is showing a baseball game and horse racing features,” wails Gregory Crawford. |
| The players enter the arena to a soundtrack of the Champions League jingle played live by violinists flanking the exit of the tunnel. When they stop, the crowd roar their approval for everything that is about to take place. It’s nearly on! | The players enter the arena to a soundtrack of the Champions League jingle played live by violinists flanking the exit of the tunnel. When they stop, the crowd roar their approval for everything that is about to take place. It’s nearly on! |
| The teams are in the tunnel ... | The teams are in the tunnel ... |
| Fans are complaining of being turned away, despite having genuine tickets, and police heavy handed tactics. 1 LFC fan was hit and pushed by police in front of me. A spurs fan was apprehended by mounted police for allegedly stealing another fan’s ticket. Could get lively tonight. | Fans are complaining of being turned away, despite having genuine tickets, and police heavy handed tactics. 1 LFC fan was hit and pushed by police in front of me. A spurs fan was apprehended by mounted police for allegedly stealing another fan’s ticket. Could get lively tonight. |
| “My underwear is blue and I am regretting it,” sighs Robert Smith (I always thought he was QPR fan). “I may be commando by the 13th minute if LFC are off to a slow start.” Just like heaven, eh. | “My underwear is blue and I am regretting it,” sighs Robert Smith (I always thought he was QPR fan). “I may be commando by the 13th minute if LFC are off to a slow start.” Just like heaven, eh. |
| “It’s about 00:17 hrs in Mumbai, India, and my six-month old daughter has decided to stay up and chuckle at the telly,” writes Irshad Daftari. “Well, it’s going to be a long night, either way.” | “It’s about 00:17 hrs in Mumbai, India, and my six-month old daughter has decided to stay up and chuckle at the telly,” writes Irshad Daftari. “Well, it’s going to be a long night, either way.” |
| “I appreciate Simon McMahon’s support,” announces Matt Dony. “But I’ll level with you; I’m scared. Terrified. Like, amazingly scared. Liverpool proved in the league that they are objectively better than Spurs. But. But. But, it means nothing. It’s a night where I can’t really think for myself, and I have to rely on cliches. Anything could happen. It’s the hope I can’t stand. Argh!!!! Football!!!” | “I appreciate Simon McMahon’s support,” announces Matt Dony. “But I’ll level with you; I’m scared. Terrified. Like, amazingly scared. Liverpool proved in the league that they are objectively better than Spurs. But. But. But, it means nothing. It’s a night where I can’t really think for myself, and I have to rely on cliches. Anything could happen. It’s the hope I can’t stand. Argh!!!! Football!!!” |
| The atmosphere in the stadium is reaching wonderpoint. It looks close to full and both sets of fans are singing their hearts out. A far, far better vibe than for that Europa League final on Wednesday. | The atmosphere in the stadium is reaching wonderpoint. It looks close to full and both sets of fans are singing their hearts out. A far, far better vibe than for that Europa League final on Wednesday. |
| Pochettino is asked whether he is sure kane is 100% fit. “Are you serious?” he replies. “We believe and feel that in the last few weeks he was ready to compete. We gave him time to feel the motion and combination and yesterday he confirmed he was ready to play. | Pochettino is asked whether he is sure kane is 100% fit. “Are you serious?” he replies. “We believe and feel that in the last few weeks he was ready to compete. We gave him time to feel the motion and combination and yesterday he confirmed he was ready to play. |
| Klopp’s take on Kane’s selection: “We expected it. But even if Lucas Moura would have played, the quality is massive that they have up front.” | Klopp’s take on Kane’s selection: “We expected it. But even if Lucas Moura would have played, the quality is massive that they have up front.” |
| “Even in one family, the Champions League has gone global,” announces Keith Leslie. “I’m watching here in Portland, Oregon, one son is watching in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, while my other son is watching in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our friends glued to their tubes in Seattle, Washington, DC, Bangkok and even balmy England. I’ve been an American Reds fan since the drama of Istanbul and can’t wait for more heroics today!” Very good. I’m sitting in my underwear in my front room. | “Even in one family, the Champions League has gone global,” announces Keith Leslie. “I’m watching here in Portland, Oregon, one son is watching in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, while my other son is watching in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our friends glued to their tubes in Seattle, Washington, DC, Bangkok and even balmy England. I’ve been an American Reds fan since the drama of Istanbul and can’t wait for more heroics today!” Very good. I’m sitting in my underwear in my front room. |