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With just under a week to go until the 2019 Champions League final, we take a look at the key statistics of the season so far and how we can expect both teams to line up for the 8pm kickoff on June 1.
After overcoming the odds and shocking everyone in their respective semi-finals to claim their places in the final, Liverpool and Tottenham will compete in the second ever all-English final at the Wanda Metropolitano on the first Saturday of June. Liverpool will be aiming to claim their third Champions League title - their seventh European title overall - after missing out on the trophy against Real Madrid in the final in Kiev last season. Tottenham, on the other hand, have never made a Champions League final appearance - could experience prove to be the difference between the two sides?
This will be the side's 171st meeting in all competitions, and their head-to-head statistics weigh in in the Reds' favour. Liverpool have won 79 of their previous duels compared to Tottenham's 48, and Jurgen Klopp's side have lost just one of their last 14 meetings since 2013 (nine of which they won). Even in the Premier League this season, in which Liverpool finished second and Tottenham finished fourth, Liverpool won both of their encounters 2-1.
Under Jurgen Klopp Liverpool will also have the advantage of experience, as he has been involved in two previous Champions League finals: one with Dortmund in 2013 and once with Liverpool last season. Mauricio Pochettino has never taken his team to a Champions League final before - so it will be a day of firsts for both the club and the manager.
Liverpool have been prolific in the Champions League this season. The Reds have found the back of the net 22 times, putting them behind only Manchester City (30) and Barcelona (26) in the overall scoring rankings. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will no doubt be key to Liverpool's offense next Saturday - with 26 goals apiece this season. Spurs should benefit from the expected return of their star striker Harry Kane, who has been sidelined since April after suffering an ankle injury against Manchester City. Kane is confident that he will be fit to return to the squad in time for the final, and he will be a key addition to Tottenham's attack alongside Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura.
All in all, Liverpool seem to have the edge over Spurs in the lead-up to the final and will no doubt be the standout favourites to receive their third Champions League trophy. In the run-up to next weekend's highly anticipated match, why not check out the Champions League odds comparison at Sportytrader.
