Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid LIVE! Vinicius goal - Champions League final result, match stream and latest updates today

Liverpool vs Real Madrid - LIVE!

Liverpool were denied a seventh European crown as Real Madrid became kings of the continent once again thanks to Vinicius Junior’s strike in a Champions League final marred by chaos outside the Stade de France.

Kick-off had to be delayed by 36 minutes due to substantial security issues outside the stadium in Paris and when the final did finally get underway, Liverpool were edged out 1-0 in a tense, engaging final settled by Vinicius.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were unable to find a response to the second-half strike as Carlo Ancelotti, winning a record fourth Champions League as a manager just a year after leaving Everton, oversaw the Spanish giants’ 14th European Cup triumph.

It was a heartbreaking end to a memorable season for Liverpool, who won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup before being pipped to the Premier League title by a point and losing in the French capital.

Relive it all with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below...

Liverpool vs Real Madrid latest news

• Real Madrid win the Champions League!

• GOAL! Vinicius puts Real in front against run of play

• OFFSIDE! Benzema goal ruled out

• WOODWORK! Mane hits post after Courtois save

• Kick-off delayed due to fans unable to get it

Liverpool FC 0 - 1 Real Madrid CF

Real Madrid get the job done - again

00:04 , Matt Verri

The ultimate kings of Europe reign supreme.

Real Madrid’s status as club football’s greatest was cemented on a night when they snuffed out Liverpool’s own bid to confirm Jurgen Klopp’s current class among the finest of all time. Vinicius Junior’s 59th-minute strike was enough to further embellish Real’s storied history, as well as signal a new generation.

So much of their remarkable run to a 14th European Cup was based on the ageless qualities of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. And while they were integral to this 1-0 win, it was 21-year-old Vinicius who provided the decisive moment – becoming the youngest player to score in the final since Lionel Messi.

Read James Robson’s full analysis here!

Ancelotti gets the better of Klopp tonight...

00:00 , Matt Verri

Liverpool still best in Europe?

23:46 , Matt Verri

Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand disagreed over whether Liverpool are the best team in Europe, after their Champions League final defeat.

“On other occasions Liverpool would be having their name etched on the trophy this time, but it wasn’t to be,” Owen told BT Sport.

“The season they have had, I still think they are the team to beat.”

Ferdinand responded: “I don’t think [Liverpool ]can be called the best team in Europe - you have got to win the big trophies to be considered that.”

Click here to read their full comments

Uefa: Thousands of fake tickets to blame

23:32 , Matt Verri

UEFA has blamed “thousands of fans who purchased fake tickets” for the chaotic scenes which saw the Champions League final delayed by 36 minutes.

The statement read: “In the lead-up to the game, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles.

“This created a build-up of fans trying to get in. As a result, the kick-off was delayed by 35 minutes to allow as many fans as possible with genuine tickets to gain access.

“As numbers outside the stadium continued to build up after kick-off, the police dispersed them with tear gas and forced them away from the stadium.”

Click here for the full statement

Mixed messages from Real players!

23:20 , Matt Verri

23:13 , Matt Verri

Three finals for Liverpool this season, 330 minutes, no goals scored.

They got the job done on penalties against Chelsea in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but there was no clean sheet for the Reds tonight.

For all their attacking talent, it hasn’t quite happened in the finals and it’s caught up with them.

Carlo Ancelotti’s post-match reaction

23:11 , Matt Verri

“I can’t believe it. We had a fantastic season. We did really well.

“It was a difficult game and we suffered a lot, more so in the first half. In the end I think we deserved to win this competition.”

Liverpool player ratings

23:00 , Matt Verri

Mo Salah 8

Will wonder how he was on the losing side. Denied by two stunning saves from Courtois – one in each half.

Sadio Mane 7

Thought he had opened the scoring with his first half effort, only to see the remarkable Courtois push his shot onto the post.

Luis Diaz 6

Buzzed with intent early on and looked determined to make his mark on the final – but was well-controlled by the outstanding Carvajal.

Read the full ratings right here!

Real Madrid player ratings

22:55 , Matt Verri

Thibaut Courtois 9

One of the all-time great Champions League Final performances. Two stunning saves early on denied Salah and Mane when Liverpool were on top. Then prevented Jota and Salah from equalising late on.

Dani Carvajal 9

He was absolutely everywhere. So much energy, so strong in the tackle and so aggressive with his forward runs.

Click here to read the full look at the Real players!

Beat the best...

22:51 , Matt Verri

Thibaut Courtois’ post-match reaction

22:46 , Matt Verri

“Yesterday, in the press conference, I said that when Madrid play finals then they win and I’m on the good side of history.

“I saw a lot of tweets coming my way that I would have humbled today, but it was the other way around.

“Today I needed to win a final for my career, for all the hard work, to put respect on my name. I don’t get enough respect, especially in England.

“I saw a lot of criticism, even after a great season, saying that I was not good enough, or whatever. I’m really happy and proud of the performance of the team, we stuck to it and whne I needed to be there I was.

“We beat the best clubs in the world. We saw off City and Liverpool, who were unbelievable. We won today and I was the difference as we had one shot and scored.”

22:45 , Matt Verri

Every game played by Liverpool this season, 63 matches for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

They’ve fallen just short in the Premier League and Champions League as they finish with an FA Cup and Carabao Cup double.

Tough to say but that’s a disappointing outcome at the end of a campaign that promised so much.

Start the party in Madrid!

22:41 , Matt Verri

History for Ancelotti!

22:38 , Matt Verri

That’s now four Champions League successes for Carlo Ancelotti as a manager, a record. He’s had to work seriously hard for it this season!

AC Milan 2002/03

AC Milan 2006/07

Real Madrid 2013/14

Real Madrid 2021/22

What a performance from Courtois

22:36 , Matt Verri

FT: Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid

22:33 , Matt Verri

REAL MADRID WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR A 14TH TIME!

What a stunning season it’s been for them, winning LaLiga and now this. An incredible run to the final and they’ve finished the job off.

Liverpool were dominant in the first-half, didn’t take their chances though and Vinicius did just that after the break.

22:30 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: Kroos wins a free-kick for his side and that could be that.

Liverpool are running out of time - looks like it’s going to be Champions League final heartbreak against Real once again.

22:28 , Matt Verri

90+1 mins: Ceballos should win it!

He couldn’t believe that he was clean through and ended up doing nothing. Then tries to poke the pass through to Vinicius, it’s cut out.

Real have a corner though and they are in absolutely no rush, as you’d imagine.

22:27 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Ceballos on to replace Modric for the final few minutes.

How much added time will we get? Five minutes.

22:25 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Alexander-Arnold stands over the corner, Liverpool have to make one of these count. And now.

Courtois off his line to gather again. It’s been an incredible performance from him tonight.

22:22 , Matt Verri

85 mins: Valverde off, Camavinga off.

Rodrygo will be coming on shortly, but Real will make the most of every second they can and wait a bit longer for that.

22:20 , Matt Verri

83 mins: COURTOIS AGAIN!

Salah denied for a SIXTH time by the Real Madrid goalkeeper. It’s another superb save to tip the shot behind for a corner.

Real clear and now they can break - three-on-one. Benzema through to Vinicius, Alisson out to gather though.

22:19 , Matt Verri

81 mins: TERRIBLE FROM KEITA!

Ball cut back to the Liverpool man, completely free on the edge of the box. Goes with the outside of his foot and it’s miles over the bar. Had to hit the target at the very least.

22:17 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Offside flag halts a Liverpool attack and Militao is lying down in the box for Real. Not in a massive rush to get up.

It’s a miraculous recovery too as he jumps to his feet. All the tricks coming out from Real!

22:14 , Matt Verri

77 mins: Free-kick swung in by Real Madrid, Casemiro gets on the end of it and has to go for goal from six-yards out.

Tries to lay it off instead, makes a complete mess of it and Liverpool clear. Massive chance.

Two changes from Klopp - Henderson and Thiago off, Keita and Firmino on.

James Robson at the Stade de France

22:13 , Matt Verri

We haven’t quite seen the onslaught from Liverpool yet, but we can see a pattern forming. They have to take more risks and Real just look poised to take advantage.

22:12 , Matt Verri

74 mins: Alexander-Arnold has space on the edge of the box, drills a shot at goal. Jota can’t direct it on target.

Still time for Liverpool for sure, but frustrations are starting to build.

22:09 , Matt Verri

72 mins: A lot of what Van Dijk does is incredibly graceful. That was not.

Benzema holds the ball up, back to goal and Van Dijk just barges into him and sends him tumbling to the ground. Soft free-kick to give away.

22:06 , Matt Verri

69 mins: NEARLY FOR SALAH!

He’s going to have nightmares about Courtois tonight. Henderson clips a cross to the back post, Jota heads it back across goal but Salah can’t turn it home from a tight angle.

Pressure building though.

22:05 , Matt Verri

68 mins: Militao flops over trying to win a cheap free-kick. Definitely not. Liverpool awards the corner instead.

Poor delivery from Robertson, cleared away. He’ll get another chance though, has to be better.

It is, Konate gets up well but Real hack it up the pitch.

22:02 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Salah desperate to try and drag his side back into it. Cuts inside and curls an effort at goal, Courtois there once more.

Jota getting ready to come on for Liverpool, he’ll be introduced soon. Before that though, Salah shows brilliant footwork to win a free-kick off Vinicius. Great position out wide.

Here is Jota, replacing Diaz.

21:59 , Matt Verri

62 mins: First yellow card of the match and it goes to Fabinho.

Valverde brings the ball forward, knocks it past Fabinho and he’s cleaned out. No complaints with that one.

21:58 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Well then, Liverpool have 30 minutes to find at least one goal.

Still plenty of time and they’ve created enough chances to be well ahead in this final. Just have to start taking them though.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid | Vinicius Junior 59'

21:56 , Matt Verri

REAL MADRID TAKE THE LEAD!

Incredible. Liverpool dominant for so much of the final but they haven’t taken their chances.

Valverde allowed to drive into the box, drills a low effort towards the back post and Vinicius has a tap-in.

21:55 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Salah goes for goal once, twice. Blocked and blocked. He wants a penalty for the second one, which hits the arm of Alaba from about two yards away.

That will not be a penalty, we can say with a fair amount of certainty.

James Robson at the Stade de France

21:52 , Matt Verri

Real are far less passive this half. They are actually taking the game to Liverpool.

You certainly couldn’t call this a classic, but it is intriguing. Carvajal has done a wonderful job on Diaz, who looks determined to stamp his mark on this final.

21:51 , Matt Verri

54 mins: Mane whips a pass through to Diaz and he can run at Modric - will fancy that match-up.

Croatian does well though, forces the pass back to Mane. He goes for goal, blocked. Alexander-Arnold does the same and once again a Real defender gets in the way.

Diaz hasn’t seen a huge amount of the ball but he’s been bright when he has.

21:49 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Konate has been superb tonight, so comfortable on the ball. Drives forward for his side again, drawing a couple of Real players in and then plays a simple pass.

Eventually it’s worked out to Salah who crosses it in, simple catch for Courtois.

21:46 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Chance was there for Liverpool as Salah made a run straight through the middle. Diaz overhit the pass though and the opportunity went.

Alexander-Arnold commits a foul on Casemiro who had been stumbling for about 20 yards. Does well to get a free-kick for that.

21:44 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Sensational cross from Alexander-Arnold to the back post, Diaz looks set to head it home but Carvajal somehow gets back to put him off. Brilliant defending.

Open feel to the half since the restart, space there for both sides.

Back underway!

21:42 , Matt Verri

Up and running for the second-half at the Stade de France!

Peter Walton has spoken...

21:39 , Matt Verri

Ex-referee Peter Walton has been explaining that long VAR check on BT Sport.

He said: “It is easy. Benzema is in an offside position. The offence is committed if the ball is deliberately played back to him.

“Fabinho, the ball deflects off him, he doesn’t deliberately play the ball to him. He doesn’t play Benzema onside. It’s only deemed onside if the Liverpool player has deliberately played it.”

21:36 , Matt Verri

Plenty of positives for Liverpool, but the obvious negative is that it’s still goalless.

Real Madrid have shown they don’t have to play well to get the job done this season - Liverpool have to be ruthless when their chances come.

Real unlucky not to take the lead?

21:32 , Matt Verri

James Robson at the Stade de France

21:29 , Matt Verri

That was a compelling half. Liverpool bossed it. Real will think Benzema’s goal should have stood - and they have a point.

It is too close to call. If Real get their passing together, there are chances to open Liverpool up.

HT: Liverpool 0-0 Real Madrid

21:26 , Matt Verri

That’s half-time and it remains goalless between the two sides.

Liverpool well on top for much of the half, Courtois in fine form though to keep Real in it. Salah and Mane will both feel they could got on the scoresheet.

Real very nearly snatched a goal just before the break, VAR denies them a goal against the run of play though.

OFFSIDE!

21:24 , Matt Verri

45+1 mins: Liverpool survive. Wow, that took forever.

After a delay of a few minutes, we are back underway and it’s still goalless. Two minutes added on but there will be more than that played.

21:23 , Matt Verri

Long, long VAR check.

Benzema in an offside position but they’re checking to see if it came off a Liverpool player last.

Huge moment!

GOOO.... OFFSIDE!

21:20 , Matt Verri

Real Madrid have the ball in the back of the net but then the offside flag goes up!

Long ball over the top, Benzema brings it down, cuts back inside and then loses his balance as he takes an age to do anything. Valverde scuffs it at goal, comes back to Benzema and he turns it home.

Flag goes up though. VAR checking it...

21:18 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Robertson slides the ball through to Mane, he looks to roll Militao and get the shot away but it’s deflected behind for a corner.

Benzema heads the corner away at the near post, out to Henderson who hammers it back at goal from 25 yards out. Catches it sweetly but well wide.

21:15 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Vinicius the only Real player to offer any threat so far. He does well to hold off Alexander-Arnold and Konate to keep possession, but Real can’t make anything of it.

Again Diaz looks to charge down the left wing, Carvajal and Valverde double up on him and the door is slammed shut.

21:13 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Here we go, Real win a corner after a first real attack of any purpose. Taken quickly, Benzema clips it into the box... comes to nothing.

Alisson sends it long quickly and Diaz looks to lead the break. Carvajal hauls him down and does very well to avoid a yellow.

21:12 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Another chance for Salah!

Konate drives forward past a couple of challenges, he can’t believe how much space he has as it’s played wide to Alexander-Arnold.

Whipped into the box on his left foot, Salah is free but heads straight at Courtois. Should have done better.

James Robson at the Stade de France

21:10 , Matt Verri

Casemiro’s passing has been poor. And Real’s use of the ball has been a problem. On a couple of occasions they have looked capable of releasing Vinicius, but could not find the delivery.

Liverpool are forcing them into errors with their pressing and picking up a lot of second balls.

They will wonder how they are not in front yet and the answer is Courtois, who has been outstanding.

21:09 , Matt Verri

32 mins: On the rare occasions Real Madrid have looked to pass forwards, it’s been Vinicius and Benzema against the Liverpool defence and midfield. Completely outnumbered.

Modric unable to get involved at all so far.

21:07 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Good work from Alexander-Arnold, Vinicius briefly looked to be in as he made the run in behind but the Liverpool man gets across just about in time.

Half an hour gone in Paris. Liverpool well on top but nothing to show for it.

21:05 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Game played at barely more than walking pace as Liverpool come forward. Real have no interest in pressing Thiago and Henderson.

Eventually Fabinho loses patience and goes for goal from absolutely miles out. Always rising over the bar - Real will be delighted to see that.

21:04 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Alexander-Arnold getting forward at will for Liverpool - as usual. He hasn’t had to be too worried about Vinicius behind him yet, Brazilian has barely had a touch.

As PSG, Chelsea and City know though... you’ve got to finish Real off when you’re on top!

Real Madrid survive...

21:02 , Matt Verri

21:01 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Some possession at last for Real Madrid, but they go all the way back to Courtois. Haven’t done anything with the ball in these opening 24 minutes.

Salah looks to play the ball through the middle to Mane, Alaba reads it though and slides in to intercept.

20:58 , Matt Verri

21 mins: STUNNING SAVE!

This is complete dominance from Liverpool but it’s still goalless. It’s Mane this time to cut inside onto his right foot in the box, drills an effort at goal... Courtois gets down superbly to tip it onto the post and then gathers the rebound.

Liverpool inches away from taking the lead.

James Robson at the Stade de France

20:57 , Matt Verri

Liverpool are well on top now and it is down to Alexander-Arnold getting high on the right. Real can’t get control of the ball or their passing game together.

20:56 , Matt Verri

19 mins: It feels like the goal is coming for Liverpool.

Salah flicks it back to Alexander-Arnold who has space and goes for goal, fires it well over the bar though.

Kroos, Modric and Casemiro unable to get any sort of possession for their side.

20:55 , Matt Verri

18 mins: It’s all Liverpool at the moment, they need to take advantage of this spell.

Salah whips an effort at goal from just outside the box, straight at Courtois. The Reds look so dangerous coming forward.

20:53 , Matt Verri

16 mins: GOOD SAVE!

First chance of the night and it’s a lovely move from Liverpool. Henderson nods the ball down for Alexander-Arnold, who brings it forward towards the byline and then cuts it back. Salah gets across his man at the near post, Courtois gets down well to save.

Thiago tries his luck from distance soon afterwards, far more comfortable save.

20:51 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Mane and Salah very nearly combine as they inject some pace into the build-up.

Liverpool have started the better of the two sides and look more confident on the ball, haven’t been able to create a chance from it yet though.

Robertson whips a cross in, deflected and that briefly confuses the Real defence. Mendy calms things down as he chests back to Courtois.

James Robson at the Stade de France

20:49 , Matt Verri

We’ve already seen examples of Real trying to spring a break. They really want to get Vinicius Junior into the space behind Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool have managed to get good numbers forward in the opening 10 minutes, but Real have had plenty behind the ball.

20:47 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Liverpool midfield three getting time on the ball, Real happy to sit right back out of possession.

Mane makes the run in behind and gets the pass. Cut back into the box, cleared away by Casemiro. Never mind though - linesman’s flag goes up as Mane wasn’t able to keep the ball in play.

20:44 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Casemiro with the challenge on Mane, Liverpool want a free-kick but they’re not going to get it. Mane moving with a real limp since that.

Neither side able to get much control in the opening minutes.

20:41 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Real get into the Liverpool half for pretty much the first time - have found it tough to beat the press so far.

Feels like Benzema isn’t going to see much of it tonight, just about whether he can take his one or two chances.

20:39 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Thiago is indeed starting for Liverpool, after that concern in the first warm-up. We’ll soon find out how fit he is.

Plenty of fouls in the opening minutes, Liverpool in particular pressing high and looking to make a rapid start to the final.

KICK-OFF!

20:37 , Matt Verri

We are underway in the Champions League final!

20:34 , Matt Verri

Players out onto the pitch. Time for the Champions League anthem - loud chorus of boos. No surprise after what we’ve seen tonight so far.

It’s time to get the final underway.

20:32 , Matt Verri

That rather bizarre spectacle is over - opening ceremony cracking on despite the scenes outside the stadium.

Players are in the tunnel, kick-off is now coming up in just a few minutes.

Opening ceremony underway

20:27 , Matt Verri

Well we’ve moved slightly closer to kick-off.

Camila Cabello and her army of dancers out on the pitch. Liverpool fans will be disappointed that Dua Lipa is not making a return.

Some pictures from outside the Stade de France

20:25 , Matt Verri

Kick-off delayed again

20:22 , Matt Verri

A third update on kick-off, which has been pushed back slightly once more. 8:36pm BST now the aim.

That’s 15 minutes from now - remains to be seen whether that is enough to address the situation outside the stadium.

20:21 , Matt Verri

Sky Sport in Germany reporting that Joel Matip’s brother had to run away from the stadium with his family, including his pregnant wife, while trying to get into the stadium.

Matip’s brother Marvin said: “The organisation around and in the stadium is unworthy of a CL final. Using tear gas in areas with children and uninvolved fans is dangerous.”

Lots of footage on social media of Liverpool fans being pepper-sprayed.

Reports of fans being tear-gassed

20:15 , Matt Verri

Liverpool fans attempting to get into the final were locked out the stadium and “tear-gassed by French police” as ticketing issues saw build-up to the game descend into chaos.

BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey said live on air, shortly after the kick-off was delayed: “I’m very sorry to tell you that a fan has come up onto our podium, in amongst the fans, and said that outside the stadium it is horrendous.

“He said that a huge number of Liverpool fans were tear-gassed by the French police, including families and children. His eyes were streaming. He looked distraught.

“These are only patchy bits of information but we can confirm that tear gas was used outside the stadium this evening, there has been a delay to kick-off.”

Click here for the full story

Communication poor in Paris

20:13 , Matt Verri

Kick-off delayed until 8:30pm BST

20:10 , Matt Verri

We do now have another update on kick-off - pushed back again until 8:30pm BST.

Real Madrid players are out again now, both teams warming up for a second time.

20:08 , Matt Verri

Camila Cabella and the opening ceremony will have to wait.

Liverpool players are back out onto the pitch for a second warm-up, no sign of the Real Madrid team.

No update yet on kick-off.

20:01 , Matt Verri

Tear gas has reportedly been used outside the stadium where there are still big problems in getting fans inside.

Latest update from UEFA on kick-off should be coming any minute - could well be a further delay.

19:57 , Matt Verri

Lots of Liverpool fans still outside the Stade de France, waiting to get in. UEFA has blamed that on ‘late arrivals of fans’ but there have been reports of those outside the stadium hours before kick-off having problems getting inside.

The supporters that are in the stands are making themselves heard!

Further updates to come

19:53 , Matt Verri

That chat between Keita and Thiago...

19:50 , Matt Verri

Kick-off delayed!

19:47 , Matt Verri

We mentioned earlier that Liverpool fans have been having trouble getting into the stadium.

Due to that, kick-off has been pushed back 15 minutes.

Thiago set to start

19:45 , Matt Verri

Not confirmed, but it looks like Thiago will be starting.

He and Keita have been deep in conversation, while Klopp has been across to give Keita a big hug.

Potentially just preparing Keita for the possibility the team may have to make an early change, if Thiago isn’t able to carry on.

Not long now!

19:39 , Matt Verri

Kick-off now less than 20 minutes.

Warm-ups pretty much done now from both sides - serious reception for the Liverpool side when they came out earlier.

Real fans making plenty of noise!

19:36 , Matt Verri

19:32 , Matt Verri

Could be a bit of concern in the Liverpool warm-ups.

Thiago went down the tunnel and is now back up on the pitch - he looks ok but he’s warming up by himself. Keita has joined the starting XI group.

One to keep an eye on in the next 10-15 minutes.

Trouble outside the stadium

19:29 , Matt Verri

Liverpool fans faced “chaos” at the stadium gates when attempting to get into the Champions League final.

More than 50,000 Reds supporters were estimated to have descended on Paris to soak up the atmosphere ahead of their club’s third Champions League final in four seasons.

The Daily Mail’s Rob Draper tweeted an hour ahead of kick off: “Sad to relate it’s chaos outside, police funelling fans into dangerously narrow routes - because their fans are parked blocking the pavement. Dangerous crush building up behind.”

Click here for the full story on that

Ancelotti keen to get the job done

19:24 , Matt Verri

Carlo Ancelotti insists he personally and Real Madrid as a team have plenty of motivation themselves tonight, when asked about Liverpool going for revenge tonight.

“It could be a motivation but Madrid have lost a final in Paris to Liverpool,” he told reporters. “It could be revenge for us too.

“We have crossed paths many times. Losing to them was a tragedy with Roma in 1984 and [with Milan in] 2005. Then the revenge, which Salah says, came in 2007.

“I respect him a lot. One of the best experiences of my career is seeing the Bernabeu or Anfield fans, in addition to the beautiful experience of facing them with Everton.

“I like their history, that of [Bob] Paisley, they have six Champions Leagues, only one less than Milan... That’s extra motivation too. My Milanista friends tell me not to let them reach seven.”

No suits from Liverpool!

19:16 , Matt Verri

Three key factors tonight...

19:11 , Matt Verri

Liverpool need no warning about where Madrid’s main danger lies. Karim Benzema has felt like he is on a one-man mission to win a 14th European Cup for the Spanish giants.

He has crushed the dreams of PSG, Chelsea and City, and is arguably the finest striker in Europe this season. His movement is so intelligent as he drops deep or drifts out wide, while his finishing is absolutely devastating.

Virgil van Dijk will have to be at his very best to keep him quiet.

Click here for our full look at where the final will be won and lost!

James Robson at the Stade de France

19:05 , Matt Verri

Mane and Salah address Liverpool futures

18:59 , Matt Verri

Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will stay at Liverpool for next season at least.

In just six months’ time, Salah will be able to discuss a free transfer with foreign clubs but, speaking ahead of the final, the 29-year-old gave an update.

“I am staying next season for sure,” he told reporters.

Teammate Sadio Mane, meanwhile, was slightly more cryptic in his response. The Senegalese forward is another who will see his deal run out next summer and has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.

“I will answer the question [about my future] after the Champions League,” Mane said.

“I’m not saying yes or no, I will answer after the Champions League.”

James Robson in Paris

18:55 , Matt Verri

Fabinho and Thiago fit to start

18:49 , Matt Verri

Big news for Liverpool comes in midfield - Thiago and Fabinho both fit to start for the Reds, alongside Henderson. Klopp will be delighted to have those two back.

Other big decisions were Konate to partner Van Dijk, with Matip on the bench, and Diaz getting the nod to start alongside Mane and Salah. Jota and Firmino among the substitutes.

Liverpool team news

18:46 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson, Diaz, Mane, Salah

Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Minamino, Jota, Tsimikas, Matip, Elliott

Click here to read the full blog on The Evening Standard's website