#Klopp would be wary that in a Champions League final against Real Madrid

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Breaking News: Champions League Final: 5 key factors which could influence the game

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Breaking News: Champions League Final: 5 key factors which could influence the game

Taking a look at the key factors which could determine the biggest footballing war of the season

Right then ladies and gentlemen, the Champions League final is almost upon us. It’s fitting that the two most exciting teams this season clash against each other to grab the biggest trophy in club football. Liverpool vs Real Madrid, Ronaldo vs Salah, Zidane vs Klopp, Firmino Vs Ramos and what not. If this doesn’t excite you, trust me, folks, nothing ever will.

We look at the key aspects of the game which could well determine which team lays it’s hands on the trophy when Milorad Mažić blows his final whistle on the night.

#5 Liverpool’s inexperience:

Since that magical night in Istanbul, rightly called as the greatest night in the rich history of Liverpool FC, the Anfield faithful have waited for 13 long years to see their team compete in another final.

This in itself might be Liverpool’s undoing on the big night as, on nights having magnitude as big as this, it’s the players’ experience which helps in soothing the nerves, getting into stride quickly and rising to the occasion.

The fact that no one in this Liverpool squad has played a Champions League final before makes Klopp’s task all the more important as it’ll be his duty to maintain his player’s resolve, not allowing to succumb to such immense pressure et al.

These are the matches where players turn into legends; the ones that distinguish the true greats from the mere mortals. Klopp himself had to face defeat in his lone appearance in 2013 when his Robert Lewandowski-led team were comprehensively beaten by Bayern Munich, which was a perfect example of the Bavarians using their big match experience to snarl away Dortmund when Robben scored with the last kick of the game.

Madrid, on the other hand, are the most successful team in the history of this competition and will be looking forward to lifting the trophy for a record-extending 13th time. Marcelo, Ramos, Kroos, Modric and Ronaldo among the other Real players have played in numerous finals prior to this and it’ll be interesting to see if they can bring their experience to the fore one more time.

#4 Real Madrid’s shaky defence

Real Madrid’s defenders haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory this season

Real Madrid’s backline has been defensively poor throughout this season, letting in goals by the dozen. Opponents have found the back of Madrid’s net a staggering 15 times this season in the Champions League.

Keylor Navas has managed to keep just 2 clean sheets in 10 matches played this term, which pales in comparison to the competition high 6 he had managed in last year’s triumphant campaign.

The full-backs Carvajal and Marcelo have put in commendable performances going forward, but it has been their defensive showing which has left a lot to be desired. Their defensive lapses almost cost them against Juventus, who were cruelly kicked out of the competition when Ronaldo scored the last-ditch penalty.

Even in their last league game of the season, they blew a two-goal advantage, highlighting their defensive frailties. The huge acres of spaces left behind by the full backs were quite smartly exploited by all the teams, but Madrid being Madrid, survived by the skin of their teeth.

However, they’ll have to be at the top of their game in order to stop the marauding trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino. Klopp would consider himself a relieved man if the two are kept busy on the night as Real are bound to suffer going forward if the two are negated.

In the absence of Carvajal for the second leg against Bayern, Madrid were found woefully short of quality, both in defence and attack. Bobby Firmino has been the standout performer for the Reds this year and has troubled every defence with his directness and subtle movements.

Salah and Mane both use their supreme pace to run defences ragged and their combination will be fundamental to Liverpool’s chances. The center-backs Ramos and Raphael Varane will have their hands full throughout the course of the match and if they manage to come out of the battle unscathed, which quite frankly seems unlikely at the moment, this final will surely be Madrid’s for the taking.

#3 The midfield battle

Can they do it again?

Though the front three of Liverpool have rightfully gained plaudits from their fans and football pundits alike both domestically and in Europe, their midfielders have performed exceedingly well, both in attack and defence.

Their captain James Milner has registered the most assists this season (8). The captain’s armband has seemingly taken his game to a higher level and his immaculate performances on the pitch are a testament to that fact.

Jordan Henderson has been the defensive rock in the midfield three. The much-maligned England international has overcome a torrid start to the season and looks set to finish the season with a flourish.

Georgino Wijnaldum has enjoyed a breakthrough season, earning Klopp’s trust and has become an instant hit with the fans. In absence of the Ox, he’ll be the one tasked with dictating play and carrying the ball forward.

Madrid, however seemingly have the edge in this area of the pitch, thanks to the effortless style of play and insane reading of the game displayed by the midfield double pivot of Kroos and Modric.

The delicious outside-of-the-foot passes, amazing through balls, calmness on the ball and telepathic connection on the pitch has been a sight to behold. Casemiro, who has been brilliant in patches, symbolising Madrid’s year, remains Zidane’s best bet to play the role of a destroyer at the heart of Real’s midfield.

The Whites will be praying for Casemiro to churn out a repeat of last year’s final in which he was at his belligerent best and scored an absolute screamer during a critical phase to give Madrid some breathing space.

#2 Team selection, tactics and formation

Can he secure a hat-trick?

After an underwhelming end to a torrid domestic campaign on Sunday, Zidane stated that he had all the 24 players available for the big night and summarised his feelings about it by blatantly moaning that he was ‘fu**** up’.

That’s what the problem of plenty does to you more often than not. Klopp, on the contrary, might go with the traditional 4-3-3 with Wijnaldum playing behind the front three and Milner playing with Henderson in the central midfield.

Virgil Van Dijk ought to start as central defender along with Dejan Lovren while Alexander Arnold may start with Robertson as the full-backs. Bale looks set to regain his place in the starting XI given the breathtaking form he is in.

Another thought doing the rounds is that we might get to see the famed trio of ‘BBC’ back again which seems quite logical as well, but I personally feel that Benzema will have to make way for Isco given the scanty amount of game time he has had in the past few fixtures.

Also, it will be quite interesting to see will be how Klopp manages to make use of his substitutions if the game goes into extra time. That, although seems unlikely given the number of goals that will be plundered within regulation time.

Contrarily, Zidane has made a living out of his timely and tactical substitutions who have time again bailed his team out, with Marco-wonderboy-Asensio and Lucas Vazquez providing the fresh legs and width required on the pitch late in the game.

As far as tactics are concerned, the “geggenpressing” style of Klopp has stuffed the momentum out of many a side in Europe and against Madrid, the Reds will surely look to harass the Madrid players on the ball.

Casemiro, of all Madrid players, always seems a bit uncomfortable on the ball and I won’t be surprised if he’s touted as the trigger point for Klopp’s hounding boys.

A riveting off-pitch encounter awaits us, innit?

#1 Is there any stopping Mo Salah or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Who will blink first?

Both Liverpool and Real Madrid have qualified to the Final primarily due to the blistering form their respective talismans, Salah and Ronaldo.

While Cristiano has always amazed the football audiences around the world with his unparalleled consistency and a burning desire to win everything, the Egyptian king has been nothing short of a revelation in his debut season at Anfield.

Destroying defences in England and Europe alike, Salah has racked up the numbers (and trophies) at an astonishing rate this season. The Golden Boot winner scored a mind-boggling 32 goals in the Premier League this season, overtaking the record of 31 goals held by a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, when it comes to the Champions League, there hasn’t been a better player than Ronaldo in its history. Even after he failed to score in two legs against Bayern Munich in the semifinals, he has already plundered 15 goals this term, 5 more than the PFA Footballer of the year.

While Salah has never reached this stage of the competition in his career, it will be the 5th time when Cristiano steps out to play the final for Madrid. He has ended up winning the trophy on four occasions and the Liverpool defence will have to defend for their lives if they are to stop the man from scoring in a competition in which he has scored 121 times.

They might follow the Bavarians’ strategy of tightly marking the Portuguese and closing out the passing lanes to him if they are to prevent him from finding the back of the net. As in Mo Salah’s case, there haven’t been many teams who have kept a lid on him.

Even if teams make a conscious effort to shut out Salah, he still manages to serve goals on a platter and that is the reason why he is so hard to defend against. For all the goals and assists which salah has against his name, he has shown this tendency to miss some easy chances as well.

Klopp would be wary that in a Champions League final against Real Madrid, there won’t be many chances on offer and he’ll require his sensational forward to be at his imperious best if Liverpool are to lift the trophy after 13 years.

When these two met last time around in an international friendly, it was the Madeira born player who hogged the limelight with his twin headers in stoppage time to overcome the deficit created by none other than Salah. Will Mo get his revenge in Kiev on the grandest of stages on Sunday night or will it be the Madrid superstar who will come out trumps again?

Your guess is as good as mine folks!

#Bobby Firmino #Carvajal #Casemiro #Champions League Final: 5 key factors which could influence the game #Cristiano Ronaldo #Firmino #Georgino Wijnaldum #Is there any stopping Mo Salah or Cristiano Ronaldo? #James Milner #Jordan Henderson #Keylor Navas has managed to keep just 2 clean sheets in 10 matches played this term #Klopp #Klopp would be wary that in a Champions League final against Real Madrid #Kroos #letting in goals by the dozen #Liverpool and Real Madrid #Liverpool FC #Liverpool's inexperience #Mane #Marcelo #Marco-wonderboy-Asensio #Milorad Mažić #Modric #not allowing to succumb to such immense pressure et al #Opponents have found the back of Madrid's net a staggering 15 times this season in the Champions League #overtaking the record of 31 goals held by a certain Cristiano Ronaldo #Ramos #Raphael Varane #Real Madrid's backline has been defensively poor throughout this season #Real Madrid's shaky defence

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PETER CROUCH: Chelsea must keep Eden Hazard at all costs

Peter Crouch is a columnist for Sportsmail

What happens if he leaves? Every worried Chelsea fan is asking the question about Eden Hazard as the end of the season draws near.

I watched Hazard dance his way around West Ham's defenders on Monday night and, once again, he had me out of my seat. It looks amazing on TV but, believe me, to do something like he did at Stamford Bridge gets even more appreciation from those within the game.

The speed, the pace, the electric burst through tight spaces and the finish were just breathtaking. He is not as consistent as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of scoring goals but he really isn't far behind when it comes to natural ability.

Hazard has been involved in 28 Premier League goals so far this season – 16 goals, 12 assists – which is the best tally by a distance in our division. Only Messi (45) and Kylian Mbappe (33) can be better his total in Europe. We might see him on our TVs all the time but we shouldn't be immune to his brilliance.

He should be in the conversation for the PFA award. I know some supporters who go to every game at Stamford Bridge and they say Hazard has been the only one who has given them enjoyment this season. Their concerns, then, are clear and understandable.

If he ends up at Real Madrid – the only club he could possibly join – there are two ways to look at it.

Eden Hazard, showing his appreciation to fans in Prague, may leave Chelsea this summer

First, players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic, who is joining this summer from Borussia Dortmund, could all play a step further without flourish Hazard around.

I know how it is to be in a team that has a stand-out player. There were world-class players at Liverpool in my three years but we all knew that an easy thing to do was to give the ball to Steven Gerrard in the expectation of him producing some magic.

It was the same at Tottenham with Gareth Bale. Again, we had a brilliant team but you didn't think twice about pushing the ball out to him on the left and watching him take off like a rocket. Chelsea's players will understandably think the same with Hazard.

Then, however, there is the second situation. When a top player leaves a club there is a hangover that is difficult to shake. Liverpool had it with Xabi Alonso in 2009 and Luis Suarez in 2014. Spurs had it when Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013.

Both sides have recovered but how would Chelsea cope? Jurgen Klopp described him this week as 'one of the world's best' and with a transfer ban looming there would be no way of filling that gap. The Premier League would be poor without him but the impact on Chelsea would be huge.

They should give him whatever he wants to keep him. Chelsea are fighting for a top four place on the back of what Hazard has done.

He has provided the light for their supporters in this difficult 12 months. If he goes the light for many fans will go out.

USA star Christian Pulisic is joining Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season

Troy's story a real inspiration

It was fantastic to see the Watford-Wolves FA Cup semi-final live up to expectations. Last week I said both clubs were the best outside the top six and I don't think anyone could dispute they are both now established in the Premier League.

Arsenal, certainly, should be wary about playing both of them on the run-in as Watford and Wolves are the kind of teams who will cause everyone trouble. Liverpool, equally, should be wary of playing Wolves on the final day.

They were a credit to the Premier League and I want to make a special mention of Troy Deeney, whose last-gasp penalty secured extra time. Troy is someone I have only with fleetingly and I couldn't say I know him but my respect for him has grown over time.

I have said a couple of times that Watford lack identity because they make so many changes but Deeney has been a constant and nobody at Vicarage Road will be a parent when they walk out of face Manchester City at Wembley on May 18.

To step up in those circumstances and take such responsibility was huge. His finish was emphatic and I can only wish him and his team good luck. Playing in an FA Cup final is something that stays with you for ever.

Captain Troy Deeney (left) inspired Watford to a dramatic FA Cup semi-final win last week

The race for promotion is as intriguing as the race for the Premier League title and I've got an eye on the Championship run-in.

I know how good the teams involved in the fight are, having played the first half of the season at Stoke, and Norwich look as if they are over the line. They really surprised me with the quality of their football and I expect them to go up as champions.

Leeds and Sheffield United are both excellent but my gut feeling is that Leeds will clamber about the line in second place. Iff have a suspicion that Sheffield United will suffer the blow or fail to get out of the playoffs.

Aston Villa are finishing fast and their win at Rotherham in midweek was huge. Keeping hold of Jack Grealish in January was huge for them and I always think the side with momentum can deal with play-offs best.

Jack Grealish has fine form for for Aston Villa, who are well placed to claim a play-off spot

MY WEEK

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO ..

I was given the all-clear to start some light training this week, which was a great boost. It was great to be back at work following a little absence and it was an even bigger boost that my return to Burnley coincided with the beginning or half-term! There are only so many day trips you can do!

WHO'S CAUGHT MY EYE: Scott McTominay

He made a good impression last season when Jose Mourinho called on him and I can see him being a big part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans after an impressive individual display against Barcelona.

NEXT UP FOR ME …

Being out injured is not something I have been used to during my career but I have never taken absences well. I wouldn't say I have great fun to be around for the past couple of weeks but I'm looking forward to stepping up my rehabilitation program.

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO …

About Waves are a Liverpool band who are never too far from the top of my playlist and I've had them on plenty this week. The new album is called What's It Like About There and the standout single is Times Won't Change Me.

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#PETER CROUCH: Chelsea must keep Eden Hazard at all costs"

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Which of the four English clubs can win the Champions League?

England has four teams in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in a decade after Liverpool joined both Manchester clubs and Tottenham in the last eight of the competition with victory over Bayern Munich .

Not since Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Chelsea reached the same stage in 2008-09 have Premier League teams are so dominant in Europe – although Barcelona ended up as champions that season.

The English clubs will have to wait until Friday to find out if they have avoided one another as they go into the draw with Barca, Juventus FC Porto and Ajax. In the meantime, MailOnline takes a look at how well the four teams are equipped to go all the way in the Champions League this season.

     Which English team can win the Champions League in the quarter-finals?

                   LIVERPOOL

English football's most successful club in the European Cup progressed to the final under Jurgen Klopp a year ago and will be hoping to go one better this

For all City's goals against Schalke in the last 16 and United's guts in coming back to beat Paris-Saint Germain, Liverpool's 3-1 away win against an established European heavyweight like Bayern was just as impressive.

Klopp's side is significantly stronger to the one that brushed City aside in the semis last season before losing to Real Madrid in the final in Kiev with the summer acquisitions of defender Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson Becker making Liverpool a different proposition at home and abroad.

It has given the five-time European champions defensive stability to complement one of the most feared forward lines on the continent.

Critics will point to Klopp's record in losing his last six cup finals as manager of Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund – including Champions League final defeats with both clubs – but the German will fancy his chances if he gets there again.

Key player: Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch colossus demonstrated his importance to Liverpool again in Munich, contributing to the first goal and scoring the crucial second while keeping Robert Lewandowski under wraps.

     Virgil van Dijk has contributed massively to Liverpool and made them serious contenders

     Jurgen Klopp's men kept Bayern Munich in check and progressed through the quarters

MANCHESTER CITY

Pep Guardiola's side displayed their Champions League credentials with a brutal 10-2 aggregate win over Schalke in the last 16.

The Germans may have been the weakest team left in the competition, but City's 7-0 win at the Etihad was still an emphatic statement to the rest of Europe.

No-one can doubt Guardiola's record in the European Cup, having won it once as a player and twice as coach of Barcelona. And although he has tried to limit the expectations on his players by claiming City are "teenagers" in Europe and lack "history" in the competition, he is fooling no-one. They are one of the favorites and rightly so.

Not for the first time in recent years, City's biggest problem could compete on so many fronts. Having banked the Carabao Cup, they are involved in a fierce Premier League title race with Liverpool that will stretch the resources of both clubs, as well as going for the FA Cup.

If any club is capable of completing an historic Quadruple, however, it's City with Guardiola at the helmet and so many top players at its disposal.

Key man: Sergio Aguero. The best of an exceptional bunch, his goals will be crucial if City are to finally realize their potential in Europe. The Argentine star has delivered consistently on the big stage and is more than capable of doing so again.

     Sergio Aguero is the best of an exceptional bunch in the impressive Manchester City team

     Manager Pep Guardiola will be praying they can continue their good run after a 7-0 win

MANCHESTER UNITED

If you had touted United as Champions League contenders in December, it would have been dismissed as pure fantasy. They had qualified for the last 16 on the back of an uninspiring campaign notable for a rather fortuitous away win over Juventus in Group H.

Such has been the transformation at Old Trafford in the three months since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho at the wheel, however, that anything feels possible now.

United's sensational comeback to beat PSG in Paris with an injury-hit team and the odds stacked against them has raised hopes that Solskjaer can lead the club to victory in Europe 20 years after his injury-time winner over Bayern Munich.

They remain one of the less-fancied teams among the last eight. The change in mood around the club can only compensate for some of the problems that will need addressing in the summer, and United are also involved in a battle to finish in the top four of the Premier League and win the FA Cup.

But Solskjaer has done enough in a short space or time to make anyone wary or writing them off.

Key man: Paul Pogba. No-one has been called to the change of manager at United quite like the Frenchman. Pogba has gone from a moody misfit under Mourinho to the player who helped inspire his country to World Cup glory last summer, and one who is a match for any midfielder in Europe.

     Manchester United are one of the less fancied teams, but they shouldn't be written off yet

     Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has transformed Manchester United's bad season since taking over

TOTTENHAM

No-one could accuse in this season's Champions League. They crept into the last 16 after pipping Inter Milan to second place in a difficult Group B and then beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 on aggregate.

However, the second-leg win over the Germans at Wembley was Tottenham's only success in their last five games in all competitions, and there is a concern that Mauricio Pochettino's side are running out of gas at a crucial point of the season again.

Contenders in the Premier League title race for so long, Spurs are now battling just to finish in the top four. Out of the four English qualifiers, they have the least Champions League experience and are likely to be the ones that European clubs would rather be drawn against on Friday.

At least, Pochettino has less on his plate than Liverpool , City and United, and the return of Dele Alli after almost two months out given Tottenham an important boost just when they needed it.

Key player: Harry Kane. Who else? The England captain has five goals in the Champions League this season and will be a handful for any club left in the competition. But Kane wants to keep firing if Tottenham has a chance of going all the way.

     Tottenham's form in the Premier League has dipped but they're still in the Champions League

     Spurs have had a difficult run in the Champions League so far, and are still in with a chance

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#Which of the four English clubs can win the Champions League?"