Chasing their seventh European title, Liverpool face off record 13-time champions Real Madrid when the two sides meet in the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 final in the early hours of Sunday, May 29. The match will kick off at 12:30 AM IST.
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara went straight down the tunnel in the first half against Wolves in the final Premier League match and although Jurgen Klopp was initially pessimistic about his return for the final, there is a renewed hope that the Spaniard may return in time.
However, whether or not he will make it to the starting XI is a different story.
Meanwhile, Fabinho should mark his return in time while the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who were both rested against Wolves, are certain to return to the starting XI on Sunday.
For Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to have a full strength squad at his disposal. This includes defender Davi Alaba who recently returned to training.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid odds for UEFA Champions League 2021-22 final
Liverpool: 2.04
Real Madrid: 3.50
Draw: 3.65
Click here to check football betting odds.
Note: Odds are subject to change.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid recent form
Liverpool ended their Premier League 2021-22 season with a 3-1 win over Wolves. That was their second consecutive win across all competitions in regulation time and fourth on the trot including a penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
As for Real Madrid, the Los Blancos confirmed their La Liga title in matchday 34 and have been resting some of their big guns for Sunday’s final. Hence, it’s not surprising that their results have been patchy lately.
Barring their 3-1 win over Manchester City in the UCL semi-final and a 6-0 win over Levante in the league, they have drawn two of their last five matches across all competitions and have lost one.
Liverpool: W, W, W, W, D
Real Madrid: D, D, W, L, W
Liverpool vs Real Madrid head to head
Since their first-ever competitive meeting in 1981, Liverpool and Real Madrid have played a total of eight matches, with the former managing a mere three wins. Madrid, on the other hand, have won four while one match has been drawn.
Last five meetings:
Liverpool 0:0 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 3:1 Liverpool
Liverpool 1:3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 1:0 Liverpool
Liverpool 0:3 Real Madrid
Liverpool vs Real Madrid prediction and football betting tips for UEFA Champions League 2021-22 final
There is absolutely no secret that Real Madrid are the masters of European finals. However, the last time they did lose one was against Liverpool in the 1980–81 European Cup final.
Having lost the 2017-18 final against Los Blancos, Liverpool will be desperate to avenge the defeat this time around. It must be noted that the Reds haven’t lost a game in more than two months, which is probably why they are the odds-on favourites to win on Sunday.
Featured photo: AFP / Ozan Kose
