Liverpool Wins UEFA Champ For 6th Time as Jurgen Klopp’s Wait for Silverware Comes to an End

By Ifeanyi Onyeulo.

Liverpool are champions of Europe for the sixth time after defeating Tottenham 2-0 in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday night at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

Mo Salah converted a second minute penalty, while substitute Divock Origi put the title on ice with an 87th minute strike to earn the Reds the trophy. However, it was the Liverpool defence that made this Final triumph possible. Led by the superb Virgil van Dijk, the Liverpool back-line was an impenetrable force and never allowed the Tottenham attack to find any type of rythmn.There were no major surprises in either starting XI. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino welcomed back Harry Kane up top at forward, meaning the hero of the comeback at Ajax, Lucas Moura, was relegated to the bench. Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp slotted in semifinal hero Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield and Roberto Firmino in attack.

Thirty seconds had not even elapsed off the clock when Liverpool got the first break of the contest, as a Sadio Mane pass struck the arm of Mousa Sissoko and referee Damir Skomina immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped Salah to take the spot kick and the Egyptian hammered his effort home to hand the Reds a 1-0 lead.The early Liverpool goal made Spurs nervy and they tried to settle in with greater spells of possession, but the Liverpool defence was set up well and easily kept dangermen Kane and Son Heung-min in their pocket.

Overall, it was a first half lacking in quality. The only thing that got the blood flowing after Salah’s goal was a stinging shot from Liverpool’s Andy Robertson that Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had to deflect over the crossbar.

Tottenham showed a bit more urgency to start the second half and it helped open things up briefly before play reverted back to what was on display in the first half. Klopp was first to go to his bench, as the nonexistent Firmino was taken off for Origi and James Milner came on for Wijnaldum.

Pochettino needed a spark, so Moura was summoned for another rescue, coming off the bench for Harry Winks, but it was Liverpool getting the next crack at goal, as Milner fizzed a shot that went just wide.

Spurs made their second substitution as their quest for an equaliser continued with Sissoko making way for Eric Dyer. It took some time but Tottenham’s attack finally came to life through chances for Son and Moura, however, it was nothing that Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson could not handle.

Pochettino’s last roll of the dice came with Fernando Llorente on for Dele Alli helping Spurs keep the pressure on. A free-kick from Christian Eriksen forced Alisson into another save, but that would be Tottenham’s final moment, as at the other end Spurs failed to clear their lines and Origi, with time and space, rocketed in a left-footer for a 2-0 lead that would hold until the final whistle.