(Football news) The 2021 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool is expected to be an amazing contest. Real Madrid are expected to have a fully fit squad available for the final but Jurgen Klopp has a couple of headaches. Thiago and Fabinho, who are the first names on the team sheet are major doubts going into the final. There is still no clarity on their situation but reports do suggest that it will be touch and go. 

Thiago suffered an achilles injury in the final Premier League match of the season against Wolves and had to be brought off at half time. In the post match press conference, Jurgen Klopp said that he believes the Spaniard is ruled out of the match against Madrid but it cannot be confirmed. Fabinho on the other hand has been out for around 14 days with a hamstring injury but both Klopp and the player have said that he should be fit for the final but the Brazilian still hasn't started training. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were injured in the FA Cup final but both made the bench against Wolves. Salah even came on and scored a goal which are encouraging signs. Liverpool fans for once would like to face Real Madrid given the recent history between the two clubs. 

Liverpool's midfield would be considerably weaker without either of Fabinho and Thiago let alone both. Naby Kieta and James will likely be their replacement but that would completely change the way the Merseyside club will have to play. Real Madrid's midfield of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro are still going strong and even if they do have an off day other substitutes like Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga can come in and cause problems. Klopp will be hoping that at least one of Thiago and Fabinho, if not both of them, can be ready to start the game. The big issue for Liverpool is that even if they are passed fit they will come into the game with very few training sessions. 

Also read: Aurélien Tchouaméni chooses Real Madrid as his next club