Champions League Final: Comparing Liverpool's winning XI from 2005 with Klopp's expected XI

Right Winger - Luis Garcia vs Mohamed Salah

Salah has been truly breathtaking this season

If this debate was put forward at the starting of the season, then Garcia could easily make a strong case. However, 44 goals and innumerable awards later, there can only be one winner. Salah has been nothing short of breathtaking in his debut season, smashing goals and breaking records for fun.

The Egyptian has been Liverpool's go-to man and everything about his game suggests that he is not going to be a one-season wonder.

While Garcia had a good career at Anfield, including some truly memorable goals, there is no disputing Salah's case here and he pulls one more back for the Liverpool 2018 team.

LFC 2005 6 - 3 LFC 2018

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Left winger - John Arne Riise vs Sadio Mane

Mane is one of the best attackers in world football

Riise is another Reds player loved by fans everywhere and known for his thunderous left-foot which evokes quite a few special few memories. Primarily a left-back by trade, Benitez deployed him further ahead for the final back in 2005. This makes the matchup a little one-sided as Sadio Mane is a natural attacking player.

Further, the Senegalese international is currently one of the best attackers in world football and continues to develop under Klopp. His performances have been crucial since he joined the club last season and he was involved in several key goals this season. Hence, he takes the win in this matchup for the current team.

LFC 2005 6 - 4 LFC 2018

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Striker - Milan Baros vs Roberto Firmino

Firmino is the main man

upfront

for Jurgen Klopp

Milan Baros was a decent acquisition for the Reds and the Euro 2004 Golden Boot winner started up front in the 2005 Champions League final. However, Firmino is a truly unique striker who is destined to be a Liverpool legend by the time he leaves the club.

The Brazilian has already scored 27 goals this season and his combination of skill, work-rate and team-play makes him a world-class player. Now, Baros was never considered in that bracket during his peak and this implies Firmino completes the clean sweep for the most destructive attacking trio in Europe this season.

LFC 2005 6 - 5 LFC 2018

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Thus, most of the defence from 2005 stands out while the attack from 2018 shines over, which is a fair reflection of the teams as well as the managers' preferred style of play. Also, winning the final in Kyiv offers a few players on this list a great chance to edge past their counterparts from 2005 and become a part of the club's rich history.

Have your say. Who do you think should start for Liverpool? How should Real Madrid lineup? Who will have the last laugh? Let us know in the comments section below.