Champions League Final 2022: Top 5 Players Battles to watch out for, Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Top 5 Key Player battles that may prove to be decisive with a moment of individual brilliance ahead of the 2022 UEFA Champions League final between Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris. Follow Champions League live updates on InsideSport.IN
Champions League Final 2022: Top 5 KEY Players Battles to watch out for in Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Vinicius Junior vs Trent Alexander Arnold, Karim Benzema vs Van Dijk and more
🇧🇷 Pick one for your midfield:
🔴 Fabinho
⚪️ Casemiro#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/lD0KUIJBCc— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 26, 2022
Champions League Final 2022: Top 5 Players Battles to watch out for in Liverpool vs Real Madrid
5# Sadio Mane vs Eder Militao
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane will go against Real Madrid’s Eder Militao in the centre of the pitch as the Senegalese international is expected to play as a centre-forward with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah on either wings.
So far Mane has won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, slotting home the deciding penalty and was voted player of the tournament. He also added the EFL Carabao Cup and FA Cup to his honours. So far he is on 23 goals in all competitions, including five in the Champions League and is one of the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or 2022.
Eder Militao has made a robust statement in Madrid’s defence since Sergio Ramos departure from the club in the summer. The Brazilian has stepped up being the new face of Los Blancos defence along with Alaba to deliver the La Liga title to the Madridsta’s.
He will play a quick-feet Sadio Mane with a knack for scoring goals even from the centre of the box and Eder Militao won’t fear from putting his body on the line for his team as an intense battle awaits at the Stade de France in Paris.
4# Luka Modric vs Fabinho
The only Ballon d’Or winner who will be taking to the pitch in Paris, the evergreen Luka Modric, Croatian football legend, is the unassuming midfield marvel, who dictates the rhythm for Madrid. He is dangerous when given space on the edge of the penalty area as he can find the top corner from anywhere in and around the D.
Fabinho may not be renowned for his goals return but his ball recovery is what makes him undroppable in the midfield. With 67 recoveries in total, the most among the midfielders remaining, the Brazilian looks likely to recover from a recent injury in time to take his place in Jürgen Klopp’s starting line-up on 28 May.
3# Vinicius Junior vs Trent Alexander Arnold
Trent is arguably the weakest link in the Liverpool defense. Last season, Vinicius Jr. absolutely tormented the England international with his pace and trickery and scored two goals against us. This season, the Brazilian international has been at his best and directly contributed in 41 goals in all competitions.
Alexander-Arnold is not that easy to get past in a 1v1 situation but the problem arises when he is high up the pitch and leaves space behind. He is one of the most creative players so you cannot just keep him at the back but Klopp needs to ensure that there is someone to cover when he is that far forward.
Most goals and assists by defenders in the Premier League 2021-22:
🔴 Trent Alexander-Arnold: 14
🔵 Reece James: 14 pic.twitter.com/n0niHDYCrO— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 24, 2022
On the final night, Madrid’s thrilling 21-year-old forward will have Trent Alexander-Arnold on his flank – a player who is so often the Reds’ creative heartbeat even from right-back; a player who is evolving the position altogether.
2# Mohamed Salah vs David Alaba
Mohamed Salah has already found the net eight times in Europe and contributed an assist in each of the Reds’ semi-final matches. The Egyptian finished the Premier League season with a golden boot shared with Son Heung-Min and also bagged a Top Assister award. The deadly forward has already made it clear that he awaits revenge after getting subbed off for injury in the 2018 UCL Final.
After not featuring in the memorable semi-final second leg triumph against Manchester City, two-time UEFA Champions League winner David Alaba has returned to training ahead of the final, a huge boost for Carlo Ancelotti and he will keep his guard against Mo Salah. Along with Eder Militai the Austrain has proved to be pivotal in Real Madrid’s defence along with the ability to launch long passes to his forwards.
He faces a huge defensive job against a the Egyptian King who is focused on his revenge, therefore a spicy battle waits for the fans as Mohamed Salah will take on David Alaba.
1# Karim Benzema vs Virgil Van Dijk
The Frenchman scored against Liverpool in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, one of his four goals against the Reds, and his incredible recent form suggests he could well add to that tally at the Stade de France.
One of the best defender is recent years, Virgil Van Dijk has had 55 ball recoveries and given his aerial threat in the opposition box he holds significant appeal and will look to keep in-form striker Karim Benzema at bay.
Karim Benzema’s 15 goals this season 😎@Benzema | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/rWsdebzIhc
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2022
Benzema who is one of the strong favourites to win the UCL Player of the Tournament and also the Ballon d’Or 2022 award has Van Dijk in his path. It will be one of the most exciting battles to watch out for in the center of the pitch and also aerially it could be a treat for the fans.
Champions League Final 2022: Top 5 KEY Players Battles to watch out for in Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Vinicius Junior vs Trent Alexander Arnold, Karim Benzema vs Van Dijk and more