Comparing Klopp's expected Champions League Final XI with Liverpool's Europa League Final XI from 2016

Liverpool's last European final ended in defeat.
Liverpool's last European final ended in defeat.

Midfielders

Ad
Milner has broken the Champions League assists record this season.
Milner has broken the Champions League assists record this season.

2016: Emre Can, James Milner and Adam Lallana

Ad

2018: Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum

All the midfielders from the defeat in Basel are still in Liverpool at the moment. However, Adam Lallana is currently shrugging off his injury problems and Emre Can is on his way out, with a transfer to Juventus imminent.

James Milner is an ever-present, whose wisdom and experience is important in a team as young as the current Liverpool squad. Milner has contributed more this season than in 2016, as he broke the Champions League assists record with nine.

Ad

Can was still learning in 2015-16, but he had a great season. He won the club's Best Young Player award as well. However, the skipper has been outstanding this season. Jordan Henderson has silenced all of his critics, as he led the way on the Road to Kiev. A great resurgence from the captain has been one of the main factors in this incredible European campaign.

Lallana is a player who could very well start the final in Kiev, but Wijnaldum has the match fitness, the experience in pressure situations, and the chemistry with the other midfielders. However, he does lack a bit of creativity.

Ad

Lallana was ever-improving under Klopp, until an injury-stricken season hampered his progress this year. He would go further forward and be the creative spark, helping out in attack. If that Lallana is present on Saturday, he could be a game-changer for Liverpool.

Verdict: Jordan Henderson, 2018 James Milner and Adam Lallana (6-2)


Forwards

Salah, Mane and Firmino have lit Europe on fire.
Salah, Mane and Firmino have lit Europe on fire.

2016: Phillipe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino

Ad

2018: Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino

In 2016, Phillipe Coutinho was the star man for the Reds, and he played a big part in steering them to the Europa League Final. He only played half of the Reds' current European campaign, as he moved to Barcelona in January.

His silky Samba skills were instrumental on the left side of Liverpool's attack, a position adopted by Sadio Mane even before Coutinho had left. The Senegalese winger uses his pace and quick feet to get away from defenders, similar to Coutinho.

Ad

Coutinho, however, uses more flair in his game. Also, his long-range shooting ability has made him one of the best attacking midfielders in the world currently.

Leading the line for Liverpool in 2016, was Daniel Sturridge. The English striker bagged a beautiful outside-of-the-boot strike to open the scoring in Basel before Sevilla fought back. However, he wasn't the right man to lead the line for Jurgen Klopp.

Roberto Firmino, who was an attacking midfielder back then, was Klopp's new first-choice centre-forward. It seemed like a weird decision, but Firmino has flourished in the role ever since. He does more than what a regular number nine does, as his defensive work is off the charts.

Ad

Firmino is a much better and complete player right now than he was in 2016. He has added an extra amount of flair and goals to his game. He has evolved into the ideal Premier League number nine and is probably Liverpool's most important player. At least it is up for debate between Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian King signed at the start of the season and has blown every single person away. He has scored a record 32 goals in the league, and 44 in all competitions. He, along with Firmino and Mane, has taken Europe by storm.

Verdict: Phillipe Coutinho, 2018 Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah (8-3)

Quick Links

Edited by Shambhu Ajith
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications