UEFA Champions League Final Highlights: Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0. (AP)UEFA Champions League Final Highlights: Mohamed Salah’s early penalty and Divock Origi late strike gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League 2019 final at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Saturday. For coach Juergen Klopp it was a moment to savour as he finally secured Europe’s biggest prize.
Earlier, in the first half, Liverpool went 1-0 up after Salah converted the penalty, just 30 seconds into the match. Liverpool were awarded the fastest spot kick in Champions League history Mane’s cross hit Sissoko’s arm with just 23 seconds on the clock.
LIVERPOOL ARE 6 TIME CHAMPIONS
Liverpool stars after the match
Salah: Everybody is happy now! I’m very glad to play the second final in a row and the full 90 minutes, finally. It wasn’t a good performance from any of us individually but that doesn’t matter now.
Alexander-Arnold: It’s hard to even put into words what;s just happened. With the season we’ve had we deserved it more than any other team. We’ve beaten everyone put in our path, We were probably dominated for the main part of the game but we showed we’re a world class side and can win any way. When we look back tonight we’re not going to think it was a sluggish game, we’re going to think we’ve just won the European Cup! I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool who’s dream just come true.
Origi: We’ve done it. I’m happy that I could play my part but every single guy fought so hard today.
FULL TIME: Liverpool are the champions of Europe
The referee blows the final whistle and Liverpool players run towards the pitch to celebrate their sixth European title. Mohamed Salah, who missed out in the finals last year due to a shoulder injury, scored the opener for the Reds. Origi, who came as a second-half substitute, scored the second and the final goal to script Liverpool's epic victory over Spurs in the summit clash of the UEFA Champions League 2019.
Liverpool on a roll
Chants of "You'll never walk alone" rises at the Estadio Metropolitano as the match goes deep into stoppage time. We have 5 mins of extra time and that won't matter. This is surely going Liverpool's way.
Origi doubles Liverpool's lead (88')
Origi makes his substitution counts as he gives Liverpool a two-goal cushion right at the dying moments of the match. The defenders failed to clear an incoming corner from Milner and Origi makes the most out of the defensive error. The Belgian settles himself and sets his sight at the goal and blasts the ball into the far corner.
Alisson Becker makes a fine save (85')
Rose tumbles right at the edge of the box on the left side of the pitch and the referee awards a free-kick. Christian Eriksen steps up for the setpiece and goes for a curler aimed towards the far post. However, his effort is acrobatically pushed away by Alisson Becker for a corner.
Spurs substitution (81')
After introducing Eric Dier in the 74th minute in place of Sissoko, Tottenham make their final substitution in the 81st minute. Llorente comes in place of Dele Alli.
Title ticks away from Spurs
Less than a quarter remain in the match and if Tottenham want to do something here, they have to do it quickly. Liverpool have pushed deep and are defending the ball quite well and now it all depends on the Tottenham forwards to search for the break.
Tottenham push forward (73')
Tottenham produce another attacking move as Harry Kane backheels the ball towards Son, who runs with the ball before squaring it to Dele Alli on the left. Alli fails to make anything out of it as he tries to chip it in the far corner, but Alisson has no problem dealing with his attempt.
Can Lucas Moura once again become a hero for Spurs?
Tottenham Hotspur are still trailing by one-goal and Lucas Moura is introduced in the contest. He comes in place of Harry Winks and with the Brazilain's introduction, Christian Eriksen drops a little deeper.
LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTION
Roberto Firmino makes way Origi right at the hour mark. Whereas, two minutes later James Milner is also introduced in the game. He'll be coming on in place of Georginio Wijnaldum.
Spurs build pressure (58')
Son wriggles into the box and tries to play the ball across the goal, however, Robertson makes a block as the ball goes for a corner. The corner is then punched away by Alisson but the ball is not out of danger as it goes to Danny Rose, who was standing just outside the box. He takes an attempt at the goalpost but Salah blocks it and Spurs get another corner.
Spurs try to build well (49')
Spurs try to build well as Trippier plays the ball to Son and runs to receive the ball back from him. He then goes on to cross the ball, which goes to Dele Alli at the back post who tries to head the ball across but heads it behind for a goal-kick.
Second Half begins
The players are back on the pitch and Spurs get the game going. Can they find an equaliser early in the second half?
Half time stats
At the end of the first half, Spurs have enjoyed 61 percent of ball possession, and their passing accuracy so far has been 80 percent. Liverpool, on the other hand, have been sloppy with their pass but have eight attempts on goal so far.
HALF TIME
The referee blows the whistle and the players are making their way towards the tunnel. Despite conceding an early goal, it has so far been a decent 45 minutes for both the sides. However, Mohamed Salah's goal remains the difference between both the teams.
Spurs try to counter-attack (44')
Three Spurs forward sprint towards the Liverpool goal to create a counter-attack movement. But Alli overhits his pass directed towards Heung-Min Son as the ball is easily collected by Alisson Becker.
Decent effort by Robertson from distance (38')
A decent effort by Robertson from distance. After receiving a through ball from Matip, the Scot takes one touch and fires at Lloris from left, who leaps and punches the ball for another Liverpool corner.
Tottenham fading away (35')
With Liverpool’s attack and midfield applying constant pressure, Spurs are regularly having to play the ball back to goalkeeper Lloris. The Tottenham fans are getting a little frustrated as a result. Tottenham have faded slightly after their promising response.
Harry Kane has been quiet so far
Harry Kane, who's returning after an injury, has hardly been involved in the contest so far. The English striker is constantly being marked by two players and the crosses are also being dealt rather easily.
How long before we see an equalizer?
After 30 minutes of play, Liverpool are still leading 1-0. However, Spurs have not given up and are pushing hard for the ball, while maintaining possession. How long before we see an equalizer coming?
Salah making it count after previous season despair
Liverpool are imposing (24')
Mane combines with Georginio Wijnaldum in the left corner, who passes the ball back to Robertson. He then sends a cross from the left towards the back post but Alderweireld heads it for a corner.
Great defending by Moussa Sissoko (19')
Great defending by Moussa Sissoko as he prevents Robertson from running down the left flank. After a strong tussle, the French international blocks Robertson and sees the ball go out of play for a goal-kick.
Spurs try to maintain possession (14')
Despite conceding an early goal, Spurs are pushing hard and are trying to maintain their possession. After a set of passes in their own half, Vertonghen lofts the ball towards Tripper on the left, who plays it back to Eriksen. The Dane looks for people in the middle and delivers a cross into the box. However, Becker is not disturbed by the incoming pass as the ball is intercepted by the Liverpool defenders.
First corner of the match (11')
Virgil Van Dijk runs inside the box but Lloris makes sure that the incoming delivery by Alexander Arnold doesn't create a problem for Spurs. The keeper punches the ball and it is eventually cleared away by Toby Alderweireld.
Spurs look for equaliser
Spurs are not keeping quiet and will be hoping to get the equaliser as early as possible. Meanwhile, Dele Alli sprints towards the right flank but Trent Alexander Arnold makes sure that he doesn't play the ball towards the box.
GOAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!
Ohh, there's an early drama as Sadio Mane earns Liverpool a penalty in the first minute of the match. Salah steps up to take the spot-kick and the Egyptian delivers. Hugo Lloris dives in the right direction but is unable to prevent Salah from scoring the opener. It's just the start Liverpool fans have dreamt of.
KICK OFF
The stage is set. Referee blows the whistle! Roberto Firmino knocks the ball Virgil Van Dijk and the match is underway. Lets' enjoy the first half. Who will win tonight?
Players pay tribute to Jose Antonio Reyes
A minute's silence is being observed for Jose Antonio Reyes before the Champions League final after the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain forward was killed in a car crash on Saturday.
We are almost there
Players of both the sides have lined up in the tunnel and will soon be heading out towards the center of the pitch for the pre-match rituals, which includes the famous UEFA Champions League anthem.
Trouble for fans
Fans are complaining of being turned away, despite having genuine tickets, and police heavy-handed tactics. 1 LFC fan was hit and pushed by police in front of me. A spurs fan was apprehended by mounted police for allegedly stealing another fan’s ticket. Could get lively tonight.
Opening Ceremony
Minutes before kick-off, Imagine Dragons take to the pitch to perform a six-minute medley comprising of four songs. WOW!
Mauricio Pochettino speaks
On Harry Kane: "We've given him time to feel the emotion and determination. Yesterday we confirmed he was completely ready to play.
"We can play 90 or 120 minutes and have amazing impact off the bench with Fernando (Llorente), Lucas (Moura), or Erik (Lamela)
Jurgen Klopp speaks
"I don't know how to feel as a favourite, the only thing I feel is that we are ready."
On Kane, he says:
"We expected it. If Lucas Moura had played... the quality is massive, that they have up front."
Thoughts?
Players Warm up
The teams are out limbering up on the pitch. Judging by the sounds, there are more Liverpool fans in the stadium at the moment than Spurs, because there were loud boos as the north Londoners took to the field.
Tottenham Playing XI:
Hugo Lloris; Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose; Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli; Son Heung-Min, Kane
Liverpool Playing XI:
Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino.
Head to Head this season
Liverpool won both their Premier League meetings this season 2-1 with Roberto Firmino netting home and away.