Football pundit Danny Murphy believes that Tottenham Hotspur have benefitted from the three week gap from the end of the Premier League season in the run up to the Champions League final compared to Liverpool.
Murphy, who played for both clubs during his playing career as a midfielder acknowledges that Jurgen Klopp’s side are favourites going into the match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid yet feels that the gap will allow Tottenham to potentially stop the poor run of form they have experienced in recent matches.
Spurs had only picked up four points from a maximum fifteen available in their last five Premier League outings having only managed to win one and draw a further game. Liverpool, on the other hand, won all five of their games but still managed to come up one point short in the title race to Manchester City.
“The final is absolutely massive for English football,” Murphy told Express Sport while promoting Greene Kings’ Summer of Sport campaign on Friday.
“Despite Liverpool being favourites – the delay from the end of the season is going to benefit Spurs more than it is Liverpool.”
He added: “Liverpool finished the season playing every three or four days and winning them all.
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“The Barcelona game included, because of Manchester City every game was a must win and they kept playing with that intensity and creativity that gives the players confidence.
“They may have lost out on the last day but this delay could effect them in terms of how hard you train.
“Apart from the Ajax game Tottenham finished the season poorly, so maybe the break has done them good, it’s certainly done Harry Kane some good.”
Opinion
Murphy is obviously wary that Liverpool’s title challenge could have had an impact on their preparations for the final. Spurs have certainly made the most of the last three weeks with the likes of Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen and Harry Winks having returned to training.
It’s all set up to be a fantastic final this evening.
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