(Football news) The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League final has reached its final stage. Two giants of European football i.e Real Madrid and Liverpool will be going head to head for the coveted title. The final will be played at the Stade de France in Paris in front of over 80,000 people. This will be a replay of the 2018 final which was won by Real Madrid. Things are different now as both teams have changed quite a bit but the core is the same. Real Madrid have had 2 days extra to prepare for the game and because they secured the league with 4 games in hand, they have been treating the remaining matches as pre-season games. Liverpool on the other hand missed out on the Premier League and have played every single match possible this season.

Real Madrid have a fully fit squad with all the players available but Carlo Ancelotti has to leave out 2 players from his matchday squad. As for Liverpool, the only doubts were around the fitness of Thiago and Fabinho but the pair trained with the team on Friday. Both the teams will definitely line-up in a 4-3-3 as they have done all season. The only question for Madrid is whether they start Fede Valverde or Rodrygo on the right wing. Jurgen Klopp will have to choose between Joel Matip and Ibrahim Konate to partner Virgil Van Dijk. Substitutes will play a very important part in this game even if it finishes in regulation time. Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo have been incredible super subs for Real Madrid. Liverpool can bring on Diogo Jota, Naby Kieta and Roberto Firmino from the bench.

The battle between Vinicius Jr and Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to be spicy. Trent's defensive weakness has been well highlighted in his short career. Vinicius Jr on the other hand doesn't like to track back. Last season, Vinicius scored a brace against Liverpool and destroyed Alexander-Arnold in the process. This time around things could be different but the winner of this battle is likely to win the match for their team. Karim Benzema will lock horns with Virgil Van Dijk in another fierce contest. Liverpool are not going to change the way they play but it will be interesting to see Madrid's approach on the night. The Merengues have had some incredible nights in this year's competition but this time the match is at a neutral venue which changes things completely. 

Liverpool possible Playing XI:

Allison; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz.

Real Madrid possible Playing XI:

Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric; Fede Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema.

Also read: The history between 2021/22 UCL finalists Liverpool and Real Madrid