2 years ago
Liverpool is the bookmakers' favorite to win the UEFA Champions League final in 2022, although many former players back Real Madrid.
Liverpool is the bookmakers' favorite to win the UEFA Champions League final in 2022, although many former players back Real Madrid.
Madrid has a better record than Liverpool, having won 13 European crowns to Liverpool's six.
Will Real's current crop, though, be able to handle Jurgen Klopp's Reds, who have dominated Europe this season with a 60.1 percent possession share?
Former champions Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, and Claude Makelele all agree.
This week, the trio gave their predictions to UEFA.com, and they all picked Real to win the title on Saturday night at stade de france.
In any case, Michael Owen - who played for both Liverpool and Madrid during his vocation - let the Daily Mail know that he figures the English club will win in Paris.
Patrice Evra expresses Real to win on punishments
Evra, who was an European boss with Manchester United in 2008, said: "It's an extreme one. I'm not somebody who preferences making expectations, but rather I trust Madrid will win. It'll be troublesome as Liverpool aren't terrible in finals, yet the equivalent goes for Madrid.
"It harms me to say it, however Liverpool would merit it after the season they've had. Madrid caused such a lot of shock with their rebounds against Paris and Manchester City, and anything can occur in a solitary game with Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema and a major exhibition from Luka Modric.
"Being an extraordinary final is going. I'll express Madrid to win it on punishments."
Rio Ferdinand expresses Real to win 2-1
Ferdinand played close by Evra in United's 2008 group of European heroes.
He said: "I will go for Real Madrid to win; I'm going with my heart, with my head, everything.
"I think their name's composed on it; I bet against them each and every knockout round already and they have crushed me so I will go with them this time. They've beaten Chelsea, who I said they'd lose to, they've beaten Paris Saint-Germain, who I said they'd lose to, and Man City, who I said they'd lose to, so I will go with Real Madrid.
"I feel that [goalkeeper Thibaut] Courtois needs to play well for Madrid to win this opposition and I feel that he will be the distinction between the different sides. He'll keep Liverpool out and Real Madrid will score late on."
Claude Makelele says 3-2 to Real Madrid
Makelele played for Real from 2000 to 2003 and was a Champions League victor with them in 2002.
His forecast was unmistakable as he supported Karim Benzema, Rodrygo and Luka Modric to score against Liverpool.
He added: "It will be troublesome. The two chiefs are awesome. I figure it will rely upon the players.
"The two groups have encountered players, authority players likewise, and I think the benefit is for Madrid. A club was destined to win the Champions League; we have seen that for a long time."
Michael Owen says 3-0 or 3-1 to Liverpool
Owen said: "I think Liverpool are superior to Madrid and they could blow them away. 3-1 or 3-0 is my forecast.
"I figure they could beat them sensibly convincingly in light of the fact that they are an extraordinary group at the moment and are excessively great for Madrid."
Owen added: "Madrid have recently done exceptionally well to get to the last.
"I'm certain they accept their name is on the title what with rejecting through the gathering stage and afterward obviously Chelsea was unbelievable the way in which they traversed that. Manchester City was simply incredible the way that they beat them also.
"Yet, I think Liverpool are so capable thus great. They won't have any desire to get into a drudgery with them since I think Madrid are a definitive group with regards to skill and dominating close matches."
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