With the countdown to tonight’s UEFA Champions League final well and truly hotting up, some of the biggest names in football have delivered their predictions. Find out who is backing holders Real Madrid, who has plumped for Liverpool, and where the experts think the game could be won.
Steven Gerrard, 2005 UEFA Champions League-winning captain with Liverpool: “I think we’ve got a really good chance. I wouldn’t say on current form we’re going into the game as underdogs. But, I suppose, they will want to go in as underdogs because it takes a little bit of pressure off.”
Vicente del Bosque, former Madrid coach and player: “Real Madrid have a great squad and they’re the best club in Europe right now – they have to show that on Saturday. Real Madrid will beat Liverpool 4-1.”
Kenny Dalglish, three-time European Cup winner with Liverpool: “When it’s a one-off game, I think it gives the opposition a better chance. Real Madrid are no novices; they are going for 13 [Champions League wins]. They have got an aura about them, but you aren’t playing the aura, you are playing the team.”
Henrik Larsson, UEFA Champions League winner with Barcelona in 2006: Madrid 1-3 Liverpool
Manuel SanchÃs, two-time UEFA Champions League winner with Madrid: “I do believe that this one seems like the least difficult of all [Madrid’s recent finals]. While it’s true that Real Madrid are maybe slightly above Liverpool, this is a final and anything can happen.”
Luis GarcÃa, 2005 UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool: “It’s not going to be easy for Liverpool as Real Madrid are one of those teams who are difficult to beat. But I’m confident, so I’m going to go 2-1 for Liverpool.”
Steve McManaman, ex-Madrid and Liverpool winger: “Liverpool just look stronger and quicker – I take them to win a high-scoring match.”
Jerzy Dudek UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005: 2-2; Liverpool win on penalties.
Ryan Giggs, UEFA Champions League winner in 1999 and 2008: “Probably Real Madrid, just because of their experience and the players that they’ve got. A lot of Liverpool’s success this year in the Champions League has come from being at Anfield.”
Jamie Redknapp, former Liverpool midfielder: “If Liverpool blew Real Madrid away, it wouldn’t surprise me, it really wouldn’t. Because of the strike force they’ve got and sometimes the way that Real Madrid defend.”
José Antonio Camacho, ex-Madrid player and coach: “Madrid win 3-0.”
Phil Thompson, former Liverpool captain and assistant manager: “We seem to turn up big time in high-profile games. Prediction: Liverpool win; Salah, Mané, Firmino and Bale all score.”
Bruce Grobbelaar, 1984 European Cup winner with Liverpool: “I predict that there will be goals, and we will score, no doubt about it. It’s about how much we concede, but I’m going to go with 3-1 to Liverpool.”
Marco Matterazzi, 2010 UEFA Champions League winner with Inter: Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
Royston Drenthe, ex-Madrid player and cousin of Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum: “Liverpool are in great form, but they still play against Real Madrid, and they have to respect that. No matter what big club you play for, you still play against Real Madrid – and those games you just do not win easily.”
Michael Owen, former Liverpool and Madrid striker: “I find it really hard to predict. I know people will have Real Madrid down as the favourites, but I think it is a toss of a coin.”
