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The UEFA Champions League has lived up to it's billing this term, producing a lot of intense clashes, magical moments and spectacular displays all through. Full of competition, amazement, and entertainment, the tournament has been really interesting since it kicked off in 2017.
The biggest stage in club football is set to resume this weekend, with Spanish giants Real Madrid facing Premier League outfit Liverpool in the final of the competition.
Los Blancos have made it to their third consecutive Champions League final, after edging past the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint Germain in the knockout stages.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have been the biggest surprise of the tournament, upsetting the odds and making it to the final of the tournament for the first time in over a decade.
They really impressed, defeating the likes of Roma, Manchester City and Porto on their way to the final. Klopp's men have been very brilliant, producing some of the finest attacking displays we have witnessed in the competition this term.
The Reds have been tipped by many to end Real Madrid's dominance in the European tournament, by beating Los Blancos to the prestigious trophy on Saturday.
With a great manager and fantastic superstars in their ranks, the Premier League giants can go all the way to pip Real Madrid to the trophy.
But, they need to be ready to face a serious challenge as the Spanish side have a lot of world-class players on all areas of the pitch. These players are capable of deciding any game, with their incredible abilities.
Therefore, for Klopp's men to get the better of their opponents, they need to limit the impact of the 5 players below.
#5 Toni Kroos
German International, Toni Kroos has been one of the most popular players in the Champions League for the past few years.
He was part of the squad that successfully defended the trophy last year and he also played vital roles as the Los Blancos made it to the final of the tournament once again.
The midfielder has had another brilliant campaign in his glorious career, producing excellent displays as the Spanish giants move closer to another European triumph. He has recorded 780 passes, 7 interceptions and 8 shots in the tournament this term.
He is one of the players that will give Jurgen Klopp's men a difficult time on Saturday. His ability to open up defenses with his incisive passing and fantastic vision is incredible.
The midfielder also poses a goal scoring threat, with his accurate deliveries and amazing long-range efforts. The Reds must be wary of this superstar.
All stats via whoscored.com
#4 Sergio Ramos
We have witnessed many impressive defenders in the Champions League this term. But when it comes to producing outstanding performances during vital moments, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is definitely in a league of his own.
The Spaniard started the tournament in great form, consistently producing rock-solid displays at the Real Madrid defense. A hard worker and a great leader, Ramos has completed 12 blocks, 42 clearances, 17 tackles and 17 interceptions in the competition this term.
Liverpool attackers must be ready to face a big test as the Spaniard will come all out to prove his incredible class on Saturday.
He has stopped some of the finest attackers in the world this term, including the likes of Neymar, Dybala, Mbappe, Muller, and Lewandowski. Therefore, he will be more than prepared to absorb the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino when they clash by the weekend.
Ramos can also be a great goal scoring threat, with his ability to dash forward and send fantastic headers into the back of the net.
#3 Marcelo
The preparations for the Champions League final will be a very complicated one. While Liverpool will be busy thinking of how to stop the Real Madrid attackers, they also need to be wary of the problems that Marcelo will cause them on Saturday.
The Brazilian has proved to be quite unstoppable in the tournament this year, especially in big games like this.
He scored against many European powerhouses including the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint Germain during the knockout stages of the competition.
His ability to take the ball into offensive positions and split defenses open with his magical touch is quite excellent.
A highly talented superstar and a big-game player, Marcelo will definitely trouble Jurgen Klopp's men on Saturday. In fact, Alexander Arnold will need extra motivation to handle the threats of the amazing left-back.
The Brazilian has been outstanding in the Champions League this term, bagging 3 goals and 2 assists. He also has 10 clearances, 16 tackles and 12 interceptions to his name in the competition.
#2 Luka Modric
A very intelligent player and a fantastic hard worker, everyone knows the quality of Luka Modric. The playmaker has bagged a goal and an assist in the Champions League this term. He also has 620 passes, 12 dribbles and 14 interceptions to his name in the competition.
The Croatian has been the engine room of Real Madrid in the European tournament, dropping deep to assist in defense and creating the perfect environment for the Los Blancos' attackers to operate.
He has the ability to control the game from the middle of the pitch while also sending killer passes into the box.
Modric will be a big threat to Liverpool on Saturday, with his intelligent movement and the ability to create clear-cut chances at unexpected moments. The Reds will need to be at their best if they are to limit the influence of the Los Blancos superstar.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
How Liverpool will stop the best player in the world is still a big question at the moment. In fact, it is easy to conclude that Cristiano Ronaldo will simply be unstoppable on Saturday if we remember that the Portuguese has torn many European powerhouses apart in the tournament this year.
Ronaldo has had another successful outing in the European tournament, leading the goal scoring chart with 15 goals to his name. He became the first player to score in 10 straight matches in the competition, taking the Los Blancos to another final in 3 consecutive years.
The Portuguese has the ability to take on defenses all by himself and single-handedly decide the fate of important games like this.
His fantastic pace, ability to penetrate into the box and his clinical efforts in front of goal will really threaten The Reds on Saturday. In fact Liverpool will need the efforts of 11 men to stop the incredible winger.
