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This year's Champions League final is an all-English affair, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur locking horns on Saturday for the coveted prize. Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino have a golden opportunity to lift their first European trophy, but sadly, one of them will have their dreams shattered.
Liverpool and Tottenham's journey to the final was full of drama, comprising of late winners and unlikely comebacks. The English sides were the major contributors in this year's stunning edition of European football.
The CL decider promises to be a titanic clash between the English rivals, as the Reds seek their first trophy under Jurgen Klopp, losing the PL title by a narrow margin of one point to Man City. In the meanwhile, Spurs will try to capitalise on their maiden appearance in the UCL final.
Klopp's side will begin the finals as a favorite, but Pochettino's men have punched above their weight this season. Liverpool and Tottenham have potential match-winners at their disposal and let's compile a combined XI accommodating best players from each squad.
GK: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Alisson was signed by Liverpool in the summer of 2018 from AS Roma to solve their goalkeeping issues. The Brazilian shot-stopper has been phenomenal since joining the Reds, keeping 21 clean sheets in the Premier League.
Klopp's side endured a heartbreaking loss in last year's Champions League final, conceding two goals due to errors made by Loris Karius, the Reds' goalkeeper at that time. The Anfield outfit has addressed this issue by signing the 26-year-old.
The former Roma keeper was signed for £66.8 million, and he has already proved his worth, pulling off an incredible save off Arek Milik's shot in Liverpool's Champions League tie against Napoli which ensured the Reds' qualification for the knockout stages.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has enjoyed a prolific season for Liverpool, accumulating 12 assists from the right-back position. The England international's attacking exploits have established his name as one of the best fullbacks of Europe.
Alexander-Arnold is a clear option above Tottenham's Kieran Trippier due to his reliable performances in attacking and defensive phases for Liverpool.
CB: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)
It's a close choice between two Tottenham centre-halves for a single spot, namely Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. The Belgian duo has steered their side through tough phases of the knockout matches.
Vertonghen has provided a constant goal threat to his side but Alderweireld has an edge due to his decisions in crunch situations and ice-cold composure on the ball. Toby is one of the best defenders in the Premier League and his presence could guide Poch's side to European glory.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk has transformed the Liverpool side on his own due to his composure in defence, fuelling his fellow teammates to express themselves freely. His choice in the central-defence is a no brainer.
The Dutchman is an epitome of a modern defender, being calm on the ball, blessed with immaculate shielding skills, and a potent goal-threat. Van Dijk has a chance to enhance his credentials as the world's best centre-back.
Liverpool's chances in the final hinges on Virgil's game and his extent of nullifying Son Heung-Min.
LB: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Jurgen Klopp is blessed to have world-class fullbacks in his squad. Andrew Robertson alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold has been Liverpool's primary source of creativity this season.
The Scottish left-back boasts an incredible 11 assists and his marauding runs on the left side has allowed Sadio Mane to occupy threatening positions centrally.
Mauricio Pochettino rotates the full-backs which makes Robertson an obvious choice in this combined side.
CDM: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Fabinho was signed from AS Monaco in the summer to provide a defensive shield to Liverpool's back line. The Brazilian took his time to adjust with Jurgen Klopp's dynamic style of play.
Liverpool's number three has not looked back since his immense performance against Manchester United in the Premier League clash at Anfield. The midfielder's energy and intense passing add vigour to his side's play.
The holding midfielder was colossal during Liverpool's emphatic comeback against FC Barcelona and Fabinho has established himself as one of the key figures in Klopp's team.
CM: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Christian Eriksen has enjoyed another fruitful season at Tottenham, registering 10 goals and 16 assists this season. The Danish midfielder is a world-class operator and is crucial to Pochettino's system at Spurs.
Eriksen's vision and goal-threat are widely appreciated but the playmaker also works hard during the 90 minutes. Keeping his rising stocks in mind, Spurs face a tough task in keeping Christian at the club for next season amid interest from Real Madrid.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
Georginio Wijnaldum might surprise a few people with his inclusion in this lineup, but his contributions were pivotal for Liverpool in their Champions League run this season. The Dutchman's quickfire brace against Barcelona made the comeback possible for his team.
Wijnaldum has worked silently for Klopp's side and his mobility in midfield has compensated for that lack of creativity, fueled by Philippe Coutinho's departure. Klopp will be hoping that Wijnaldum comes up with another industrious performance in the final.
LW: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Sadio Mane has developed into a prolific forward under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp. His tally of 26 goals this season speaks for itself. The Senegalese attacker has performed consistently for Liverpool this season.
Mane was instrumental in his side's victory against Bayern Munich, scoring a sublime brace. The blistering pace of Mane will provide a tough test to Spurs' wide defenders. Sadio will relish the chance of scoring in two consecutive Champions League finals.
ST: Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)
Son has enjoyed a prolific outing for Spurs this campaign, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. The Korean attacker led the attack in Harry Kane's absence and he filled the void with aplomb, finding the target for his team in crucial moments.
Spurs' number seven pips just ahead of his fellow attacker Lucas Moura due to his consistency throughout the season. Son was phenomenal for his team against Manchester City in the quarter-final, scoring three goals over both legs.
Mauricio Pochettino faces a huge dilemma ahead of the final as Kane might be fit enough to start, which might relegate Son or Lucas to the bench.
RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Amidst all the criticism directed towards him throughout the course of the season, Mohamed Salah has managed to score 27 goals for Liverpool this season. The Egyptian forward was criticised for his timid displays against the top sides, but he showcased his class towards the end.
Salah has enhanced his game under Jurgen Klopp and is considered one of the world's best attackers. The wily attacker went through a barren run of form but his impact remained the same.
Lucas might be an option in this position due to his hattrick against Ajax, but Salah's prolific record makes him an obvious choice.
