Michael Owen has shared his prediction ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Both sides meet at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid with Tottenham appearing in their first ever final for European football’s most prestigious trophy.
Spurs have battled back from the jaws of elimination on more than one occasion this season. Having had only one point to their name after the conclusion of three group stage fixtures, they looked dead and buried.
Mauricio Pochettino’s never say die attitude has been instilled into his squad and they will face Liverpool as underdogs; a tag which has suited the throughout their European journey.
Liverpool are under pressure to win the match and finish the season with a trophy having bottled the Premier League title race to Manchester City. There is absolutely no doubt that all the attention is on the Anfield outfit in the eyes of the media.
Former Liverpool striker, Owen has backed his former employer to win the all-English showpiece.
He told BetVictor: “Liverpool were, arguably, fortunate to do the double over Spurs in the Premier League last season given it took a 90th minute Toby Alderweireld own goal to keep the points on Merseyside when the sides met at Anfield at the end of March.
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“Both league games between the sides in the 2018/19 campaign finished 2-1 to the Reds and it would not surprise me if the final score in the Spanish capital at the weekend mirrored those results.
“Spurs have done magnificently to reach the Final. Any side good enough to beat Manchester City over two legs are worthy finalists but the spirit, desire and class they showed in that memorable second half in Amsterdam was truly remarkable.
“Liverpool – roared on by their 12th man – might have been missing Roberto Firmino and Mohammed Salah in the second leg of their own semi-final but they bullied and ultimately broke the heart and spirit of Barcelona with their pace and controlled aggression at Anfield. Even the most fervent Barca supporter will tell you the Catalan giants were flattered by the result in the 1st leg and, make no mistake, Liverpool were worthy winners over the two legs.
“Harry Kane reported earlier in the week that he is fit for the Final although I would expect Mauricio Pochettino to start his star striker on the bench in lieu of his lack of match fitness. That said, you could say the same thing about both teams who start in Madrid given it will be just shy of 20 days since the clubs played their last PL game of the season. Too long? I wonder although at least it is a level playing field on Saturday.
“Liverpool have lost their last four Cup Finals, but I don’t think that will count a jot in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. This Liverpool team have come of age. They probably weren’t quite ready in Kiev 12 months ago – but they are now. Let’s hope Spurs going forward have their own day in the sun. They, too, deserve it.
“It is forecast to be 29 degrees at kick-off on Saturday and some will argue it will be difficult for the Reds to maintain their high and intense pressing game in that heat. I don’t agree but I don’t think it will be as easy for Liverpool as some are predicting.
“Jurgen Klopp has lost two Champions League Finals; his Borussia Dortmund side lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich at Wembley in 2013 and his Liverpool side lost 3-1 to a Gareth Bale inspired Real Madrid in the Ukraine 12 months ago.
“Forget third time lucky – this is the Reds’ time.”
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