Liverpool face Real Madrid in the eagerly-anticipated Champions League final on Saturday night in Kiev.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will be desperate to fire Liverpool to further European glory, while simultaneously stopping Madrid from winning their third straight Champions League title.
Ahead of the Kiev showdown, Sportsmail’s reporters have given their predictions on the final outcome…
Kiev is the host city of Liverpool’s Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday
IAN LADYMAN
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
I fear this may be where the dream dies for Liverpool. Unless something dramatic has happened behind closed doors between Rome and Kiev, it is hard to see Liverpool keeping a clean sheet and that leaves them having to beat Cristiano Ronaldo & Co in a shoot-out. I would be delighted – but very surprised – if they manage it.
ROB DRAPER
Real Madrid 3-2 Liverpool
I hope I’m wrong. I’d love to see Liverpool’s brand of Football triumph. And I’m sure at times they will trouble Real Madrid, just as Tottenham did. They could even have a 15-minute spell when they’re utterly dominant. But Ronaldo and his team-mates know how to get this job done, even from 2-0 down. And they have the quality to do it.
DOMINIC KING
Real Madrid 1-3 Liverpool
There is no logic to this prediction as, to be frank, how many Liverpool players would get into Madrid’s starting line-up on Saturday. Two, possibly three, at best? But I have had feeling for sometime that Liverpool will win this competition and I can see Roberto Firmino having a huge say in the outcome. Liverpool’s preparations could not have gone smoother. Now it is time for the players to deliver.
Mohamed Salah will be key for Liverpool if they want to win their sixth European Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo will be determined to make the headlines yet again in Kiev on the weekend
MIKE KEEGAN
Real Madrid 2-2 Liverpool (Liverpool win on penalties)
A lightning start sees Klopp’s men hit the Spaniards twice on the counter to surge into a 2-0 lead. A Ronaldo-led comeback brings Real level, but Liverpool’s name is on the trophy and they prevail in a tense shootout.
JOE BERNSTEIN
Real Madrid 1-2 Liverpool
Real’s team hasn’t changed much. It may be seen as a strength by some but could be a weakness. Remember AC Milan’s great 1994 Champions League team returning to the final a year later and being mugged by Ajax’s youngsters. Kroos, Modric, Benzema, Ramos, even the great Ronaldo, aren’t quite at their peak any more. Klopp will demand one final amazing effort from his Liverpool team and if they can put five past Manchester City and seven past Roma, they can surely knock a couple past Real in 90 minutes.
CHRIS WHEELER
Real Madrid 2- 3 Liverpool
It’s an ambitious prediction but these are two ambitious teams, meeting at the climax of a Champions League season rich in goals and attacking football. We could be in for a classic in Kiev. Madrid are favourites, and rightly so, but Liverpool have the firepower to cause an upset and deny the European champions a hat-trick of titles.
MATT BARLOW
Real Madrid 2-3 Liverpool
I’m expecting goals in keeping with the knock-out rounds (91 goals in 14 ties at 3.25 per game) and backing Liverpool’s pace and energy to overwhelm Real’s class and experience.
Liverpool beat Roma in the last-four of the competition to progress to the final
Madrid narrowly overcame Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
Ronaldo’s ego seems to have been given a nudge by questions about Salah and I suspect he’ll deliver one of those game-changing performances.
CRAIG HOPE
Real Madrid 2-3 Liverpool
I think we’re in for one of the greatest finals in recent history. I’m going for Liverpool’s front three each to score and Ronaldo & Bale on target for Real. If Liverpool get after Real and play to their strengths then I can see them having too much energy for their opponents.
KIERAN GILL
Real Madrid 1-4 Liverpool
Don’t ask why – just a gut feeling. I think Jurgen Klopp’s side can grab a few goals in Kiev if they stick to their usual style of play. If they do that, this should be one exciting European final. As a neutral, I’d love nothing more.
Liverpool and Madrid bolster deadly attacks and they will be looking to keep each other quiet
Madrid will look to use their experience to keep Jurgen Klopp’s men out on Saturday night
ADAM SHERGOLD
Real Madrid 2-1 Liverpool
I hope we’re in for a classic Champions League final. With the array of attacking talent on display, we certainly shouldn’t be bored and hopefully Jurgen Klopp won’t rein Liverpool in from their natural approach. Real Madrid aren’t quite at the same standard they have been in recent years but have that knack of producing on the big occasion, something epitomised by Ronaldo of course. For that reason, I think Real will sneak it.
LAURIE WHITWELL
Real Madrid 3-2 Liverpool
Surely there will be goals in this. Both sides boast deadly attacks and occasionally suspect defences. I can see momentum swinging both ways and it should make for a thriller. I back both Mohamed Salah and Ronaldo to score but ultimately I think Real’s experience of such occasions, their ability to find solutions within games, will prove decisive.
Jurgen Klopp’s side head into the showdown at the Olympic Stadium in fine form