Who can Liverpool and Real Madrid rely on if another Champions League ends in penalties

Liverpool take on Real Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League final, the first English club to reach this stage since Chelsea won the trophy in 2012.

Chelsea triumphed on penalties that evening in Germany and four seasons later Liverpool’s opponents come Saturday night, Real Madrid also lifted the trophy via a shootout win against Atletico Madrid in 2016.

Real’s shootout victory against Atletico two seasons ago is the latest time the Champions League winners have been decided from 12 yards. Liverpool’s last triumph, back in 2005 against AC MIlan, was also won on penalties.

With the possibility of the final coming down to a penalty shootout, here at Sportsmail we look at who is likely to step up from 12 yards.

Here, Sportsmail dissect Liverpool and Real Madrid’s most likely penalty takers ahead of final

Liverpool

Roberto Firmino

A total of eight penalties have been taken for Liverpool this year, with Firmino taking the most with three.

The Brazilian has a 33% success rate this year having slotted past Heurelho Gomes in August but missing against Ben Foster and Sevilla’s Sergio Rico.

Roberto Firmino took three of Liverpool's penalties eight this season but only scored one 

Roberto Firmino took three of Liverpool’s penalties eight this season but only scored one 

Mohamed Salah

Salah took two of Liverpool’s penalties this season, scoring one and missing one. The Egyptian converted against Huddersfield’s Jonas Lössl but later failed in the same match. 

Perhaps Salah’s most important penalty came last year as he converted a 90th minute spot-kick against Congo to send Egypt to the World Cup.

Mohamed Salah stepped up to take a spot kick twice in the same game, but scored only one

Mohamed Salah stepped up to take a spot kick twice in the same game, but scored only one

James Milner

Milner also holds a 50% success rate this season, scoring against countryman Jordan Pickford in the FA Cup but missing against Jasmin Handanovic in the CL group stages. Milner however, did convert seven of eight penalties last season.

Jordan Henderson

Although not being a regular spot-kick taker having not taken once since he converted against Arsenal’s David Ospina in 2015, Henderson will be called upon as a captain to take responsibility.

Sadio Mane

Despite only taking one penalty in his Premier League career, scoring against Liverpool in 2015, Mane’s finishing which has seen him bag 19 goals this season may be called in to use.

Sadio Mane wins penalties more than takes them, his last spot kick was against Liverpool

Sadio Mane wins penalties more than takes them, his last spot kick was against Liverpool

Emre Can

Although unlikely to start the game having missed the final third of the season only through injury, Can has recovered in time for the final and the German’s penalty taking ability could see him come off the bench. Can has stepped up in Liverpool’s last four penalties scoring three.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Having played 49 times this season Wijnaldum has been reliable and consistent in midfield, although not known for his penalty taking, the Dutchman never shies away from responsibility.

Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool’s most expensive signing in £75 million, Van Dijk could be called to showcase his worth.

Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real’s primary spot-kick taker has converted seven of a possibly eight this season. The Portuguese also scored in 2016 shootout but missed in 2012 against Bayern Munich. Ronaldo often takes the deciding kick so expect to see the forward take last for his side.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored Real Madrid's winner from the spot against Juventus in quarter-final

Cristiano Ronaldo scored Real Madrid’s winner from the spot against Juventus in quarter-final

Sergio Ramos

Like Ronaldo, Ramos scored in the 2016 shootout but missed in 2012, as club captain the Spaniard is not afraid to step up and showcased this with a chip penalty against Portugal in the Euro 2012 Championship. Ramos has scored four out of seven penalties for club.

Marcelo

Marcelo took second in 2016 and converted successfully, two years prior the Brazilian full-back was also successful in the World Cup when his Brazil side knocked out Chile.

Marcelo dispatched the second penalty against Atletico Madrid as Real won the 2016 final

Marcelo dispatched the second penalty against Atletico Madrid as Real won the 2016 final

Lucas Vazquez

Vazquez scored with his only penalty this season against third tier side CF Fuenlabrada in the Copa Del Rey, but the winger also converted Real’s opening kick in the 2016 final.

Karim Benzema

Benzema has scored on both occasions he stepped up for Real domestically this season converting against Deportivo Alavés and UD Las Palmas. The Frenchman also converted in the 2014 World Cup in a 3-0 win over Honduras.

Karim Benzema has had a troubled season at Madrid but could be called up to take a spot kick

Karim Benzema has had a troubled season at Madrid but could be called up to take a spot kick

Gareth Bale

Bale was successful with his two penalty attempts this season, against UD Las Palmas in league action and CD Numancia in the cup.

Isco

Having only missed one in eight spot-kicks as a professional scoring once for Real and two for Malaga, the Spanish playmaker is a reliable choice from 12 yards.



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