Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Champions League Final team news and prediction

The Champions League final is upon us. The final game to see out the domestic season in Europe will take place at Paris after being moved from Saint Petersburg as Liverpool face Real Madrid in their respective bids to write their name into the history books. 

Ahead of this one, we take a look at the pre-match information, including where to watch the game, what time the final kicks off, team news and probable XIs... 

Click here to watch our Champions League final preview episode of Baller

When is kick off?        

Saturday 28th May, 20:00 GMT        

Where is the match?        

Stade de France, Paris (France) 

What TV channel is it on?        

BT Sport  

Route to the final 

Liverpool were excellent on their way to topping Group B as they won all six matches, beating Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and AC Milan home and away, scoring 17 goals and conceding just six on their way to the knockout stage. The Reds endured respective scares against Inter, Benfica and Villarreal, but did enough to overcome the trio and secure a spot in the Champions League final. 

Real Madrid won five of their six group stage games, losing only to FC Sheriff as they topped Group D with 15 points. Los Blancos have endured a tough run to the final in Paris. They lost their first leg to PSG, only to blow the Parisian powerhouse away at the Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti then oversaw a huge win at Chelsea, which was key as they lost the second leg in Madrid, and then were minutes away from a semi-final exit at the hands of Manchester City only for a Rodrygo brace to eventually see them book their place in Paris. 

Team news 

Importantly for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp is that Fabinho and Thiago have both trained and are expected to start in Paris. The pair were doubts having been forced off against Aston Villa and Wolves, respectively, yet are now set to feature alongside Jordan Henderson in the midfield. Ibrahima Konate has been Klopp's go-to centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk in the Champions League and he should start in the French capital tonight at Joel Matip's expense. In attack, Klopp has the luxury of all his forwards available, bar Divock Origi. Sadio Mane, who has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, is set to lead the charge, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz in support. 

David Alaba hasn't featured for Real Madrid since the 4-3 defeat to Manchester City last month and is a huge doubt for Saturday. Nacho is on standby to start if required. Gareth Bale, who netted twice off the bench in the 2018 final in Ukraine, will also be assessed, though has made Real Madrid's squad. Federico Valverde should get the nod ahead of Rodrygo and Marco Asensio on the right, while Carlo Ancelotti will likely go with his tried and tested midfield trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos, though Eduardo Camavinga is an option if required. 

Probable XIs 

Liverpool (433): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz

Real Madrid (433): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Junior

Key Battle: Thiago vs Luka Modric

Thiago's availability is a huge boost for Liverpool. When he limped off in the final day win over Wolves, fans were understandably fearing the worst, and with Jurgen Klopp coy on his fitness, supporters were concerned over whether he'd be fit to start in Paris. The Reds have lost only one of the 21 games Thiago has started this season, that a 1-0 home defeat to Inter in February, with Liverpool's win percentage dropping from 84% to 68% when he doesn't start.

In the battle for midfield control, Luka Modric will be looking to dominate in the middle of the park. The 36-year-old Croat has proven that age is but a number time and time again this season, with a standout moment, among many great moments, his assist for Rodrygo's goal against Chelsea at the Bernabeu. The victor of this battle in the middle of the park could well determine who lifts the Champions League trophy tonight.

Score prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Real Madrid