Chops: I’m writing this on Friday. I still haven’t come down from the high of Tuesday. What even compares? Maybe I was still this amped four days after my daughter was born–but then again, she was colicy and I didn’t sleep for 3 months so maybe not. Anyway–all of my YNWA friends are thrilled about this match-up. Liverpool beat Spurs both times they played in the Premier League and are 24(!!!) points ahead of them domestically. I’m not so overly optimistic. This won’t be a cake walk. Yes, Liverpool will get Mo Salah back and will presumably have a fully fit team. Yes, Liverpool has perhaps the all-time greatest striker in the world in DIVOCK ORIGI–who is averaging a goal per every 98 minutes this year–better than Robert Lewandowski, Ronaldo, Sergio Aguero. And he’ll just be coming off the bench! Oh, the luxury! In all seriousness, this Spurs team is not “Spursy.” They’re the opposite of being Spursy. They’ll be rested. They’ll also likely be healthier. These two teams are familiar with each other. This will be a chess match. It will feature Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino in starring roles. I see this game going similarly to how a lot of their games have gone this year. They’ll feel each other out early on. Liverpool will likely go up a goal in the first half. Both Klopp and Poch have been expert all year in making in-game and half-time adjustments and substitutions. Poch will have Spurs coming out the gate strong in the second half. Klopp will wait just a bit too long to adjust / sub, and Spurs tie it 1-1. However, Liverpool have more overall talent and fitness, and they’ll find a way just like they have all year to pull out a win. Liverpool grinds out a 2-1 victory. Katya: Well, I’ve come to realize that betting is not my forte. My predictions have rarely held up (except Liverpool last round, and even that was questionable after the first leg). What this says to me is that any logic at this point is out the door. Here we have two teams that clearly deserve to be in the Champions League Final. Logically, it would make sense for Liverpool to win. They are statistically stronger than Tottenham. But Tottenham have proved their worth. I see this match being more of a tactical battle between two brilliant minds – Klopp and Pochettino. Each will be looking to outwit the other and you better believe that they will both be prepared for the other’s rebuttal. With all this being said, I am still pulling for Liverpool. They seem to be more well-rounded with goals in the last 4 games coming from: Origi, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino, and Keita. Meanwhile, Spurs have been heavily relying on Son and Moura (ok Llorente scored one as well). Klopp has a deeper bench of players to rely on. Players, all of which, who have proved themselves on the pitch this year. And yes, technically, Liverpool will be more rested but I don’t see that really playing a part when both teams will still have 2 weeks of recovery time after this Sunday’s EPL matches. Either way, this will be a close match. I don’t see either team pulling away with a big lead (unless, we continue with the theme of one player having an insane game and scoring 2-3 goals). I’m going to follow Chop’s lead (afterall, he does know Liverpool pretty well) and say Liverpool “grinds out” a 2-1 win. Tyler: Liverpool was incredibly impressive in knocking off Barcelona despite losing Leg 1 3-0. How on earth do you climb out of a hole like that with a line-up missing two of its top pieces in Salah and Firmino? With both those players back, and with nearly three weeks’ rest between the EPL finale on Sunday and the final on June 1, the Reds will be fresh and at full strength for the first time in a long time. I also think what happened last year in the UCL final vs. Real Madrid works in Liverpool’s favor: this team has been on this stage before and knows what it will take, and also doesn’t have to worry about Sergio Ramos. The only “negative” I can think of for Klopp’s team is that it will be a long way from Anfield, and it’s last trip to Spain (Leg 1 against Barcelona) did not go well. What to say about Spurs? I didn’t like their chances at all against City, and I didn’t think they’d beat Ajax, either. Still can’t comprehend what we saw Wednesday, by the way. This team needs the rest it will get between now and June 1 more than anyone, and it could have Harry Kane back as well. They have been gritty as hell, and from a motivation standpoint, having lost to Liverpool twice already works in their favor in that they’ll be determined not to go 0-for-3 against the Reds, but it won’t be enough. I think this will be tight for 45-60 minutes or so, but Liverpool will pull away late. I’ll stick with what I said this week on the High Press Pod (and continue to show Spurs no respect): Liverpool 3, Tottenham 1. Carl: What we all witnessed in both semi finals was what the Premier League is all about. That never say die attitude. Without taking credit away from Liverpool and Spurs achievements, Barca went into Anfield with a philosophy to contain, which is the total opposite to their identity. Ajax showed signs of complacency in the second half of the first leg and that complacency showed up again in the second half of the second leg due to inexperience. Both Liverpool and Spurs took advantage of their situations. Yes we’re used to these two teams playing against each other, but what they’re playing for changes the dynamic in every way. We won’t see one team containing or the other fading due to inexperience in the second half.<doc-sep>The UEFA Champions League Final stage is set, and it's an all-England clash. After two improbable comebacks during the second leg of the semifinals, both Premier League squads Liverpool and Tottenham will meet in the Champions League Final, on June 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Trailing 3-0 entering the second leg, Liverpool defeated Barcelona 4-0 (4-3 aggregate) on Tuesday, clinching their spot in the Final for the second straight year. On Wednesday, Tottenham completed a comeback for the ages of their own, trailing 3-0 to Ajax in the second half of the second leg. A hat trick by Lucas Moura propelled the Spurs into the final, as Tottenham advanced on away goals following a 3-3 tie on aggregate. Moura's decisive third goal came in the 90' +5, literally seconds before time would have run out. There has only been one Champions League Final before that featured two Premier League teams. That occurred during in 2007-08 tournament, where Manchester United defeated Chelsea on penalty kicks. Liverpool and Tottenham have faced one another twice during the 2018-19 season, both during Premier League play. Liverpool came out victorious 2-1 in both matches. For the first time since 2013, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing in the Final. When is the 2019 Champions League Final? The 2019 Champions League Final is Saturday, June 1, 2019. The game will take place at Wanda Metropolitano, the home of Atletico Madrid in Madrid, Spain. What channel is the 2019 Champions League Final on? The 2019 Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT in the United States, as well as Univision Deportes. Where can I watch a live stream the 2019 Champions League Final? You can watch a live stream of the 2019 Champions League Final between Liverpool and Tottenham by using FuboTV, WatchTNT and Bleacher Report Live. What is the UEFA Champions League? The Champions League is one of the most prestigious soccer tournaments in the world, featuring many of Europe's top clubs. The tournament is played by the winners of each domestic league, as well as runner-ups in some of the stronger leagues, such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga, and Italian Serie A. After qualification rounds, the tournament is grouped into eight groups of four teams, where the top two teams from each group have a round-robin match play. The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout rounds. Each round is two-legged, as each team has a match on their home field. If the score is tied after aggregate, the team with more away goals advances. If away goals are equal, penalty kicks decide the winner. How did Liverpool and Tottenham make the Champions League Final? In one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent memory, Liverpool defeated Barcelona 4-0 (4-3 aggregate) on Tuesday to clinch a second straight berth to the UEFA Champions League Final. It was only the fourth time in Champions League history a team completed a three-goal turnaround. The comeback was even more impressive when taking into consideration the Reds were without two of their top strikers: Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino. Liverpool defeated F.C. Porto in the quarterfinals and Bayern Munich in the Round of 16. Tottenham found their backs against the wall against the Dutch club Ajax, as they trailed 3-0 on aggregate in the second half of Wednesday's second leg. But Lucas Moura delivered a hat trick in the second half, with a last-second goal in added time to advance Spurs to the Final. In a similar dramatic fashion, Tottenham defeated Manchester City in the quarterfinals, after cruising by Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16. Recent Champions League History: 2017-18: Real Madrid (Spain) 3 - 1 Liverpool (England) 2016-17: Real Madrid (Spain) 4 -1 Juventus (Italy) 2015-16: Real Madrid (Spain) 1 - 1* Atletico Madrid (Spain) 2014-15: Barcelona (Spain) 3 - 1 Juventus (Italy) 2013-14: Real Madrid (Spain) 4 -1 Atletico Madrid (Spain) 2012-13: Bayern Munich (Germany) 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund (Germany) 2011-12: Chelsea (England) 1 - 1* Bayern Munich (Germany) 2010-11: Barcelona (Spain) 3 -1 Manchester United (England) 2009-10: Inter Milan (Italy) 2 - 0 Bayern Munich (Germany) 2008-09: Barcelona (Spain) 2 - 0 Manchester United (England) * = Advanced on penalty picks Champions League Winners By Title: 13: Real Madrid (Spain) 7: A.C. Milan (Italy) 5: Bayern Munich (Germany); Liverpool (England); Barcelona (Spain) 4: Ajax (Netherlands) 3: Inter Milan (Italy); Manchester United (England) 2: Juventus (Italy); Benfica (Portugal); Nottingham Forest (England); Porto (Portugal) 1: Celtic (Scotland); Hamburg (Germany); Steaua București (Romania); Marseille (France); Borussia Dortmund (Germany); Chelsea (England); Feyenoord (Netherlands); Aston Villa (England); PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands); Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)<doc-sep>The idea of the European Cup, when it was created in 1955, was to bring together soccer champions from across the continent to decide which country truly had the best team. Was Real Madrid better than A.C. Milan? Could Manchester United beat Benfica? Could Ajax beat Juventus? Round after round, year after year, fans finally were able to see top teams battle it out in competitive games with a major trophy on the line. Now called the Champions League, this year’s final will once again determine the top club team in Europe. Will it be Liverpool, from England’s Premier League, or Spurs, from, er, England’s Premier League? The game will take place in Madrid on June 1, but given the participants it might as well be a routine November league match in London. Neither team is the reigning English champion, either: Spurs finished third last season, Liverpool fourth.<doc-sep>The penultimate match-day of the UEFA Champions League is here, and a place in the showpiece final beckons for the last 4 contenders. Ajax enter the return leg with an advantage, having earned a crucial 1-0 away win against Spurs. It’s an uphill battle for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, who also faltered in domestic action, losing to Bournemouth. However, they will welcome the return of Heung-Min Son from suspension and will be on full throttle to try to turn a tie that represents their last chance at silverware this season. Barcelona on the other hand have one foot firmly planted in the final by virtue of a dominating 3-0 home win against Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s men acquitted themselves well but were undone by the magic of Lionel Messi. With Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah ruled out through injury, Pool face a seemingly insurmountable task in front of the Kop. Here are the fixtures for this week’s UCL Semifinals: ~ Tuesday 7th May Liverpool vs Barcelona Wednesday 8th May Ajax vs Tottenham ~ GOALKEEPERS Andre Onana The Cameroonian was a dominant aerial force in the first leg, picking off countless Spurs crosses to keep them at bay. He is a strong clean sheet option in front of the home fans. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen Liverpool are missing two thirds of their fearsome strike force, which bodes well for the German keeper to pick up another clean sheet. ~ DEFENDERS Jordi Alba The Spanish full back got up and down the flanks in the first leg, placing an expert cross into the box for a first goal assist. He looks the pick of the Barcelona defense. Trent Alexander-Arnold The aforementioned injuries will force the wing backs to get more involved in the attack. Young Alexander-Arnold was a surprise omission in the first leg, but he should start here with goals needed. Matthias De Ligt The highly rated 19 year old Dutch stopper played an impressive first leg and will lead the line as Ajax attempt to seal qualification. Davinson Sanchez The Colombian stopper returns to his previous club with qualification on his mind. With Jan Vertonghen likely ruled out due to his first leg concussion, Sanchez is almost certain to start and is a set piece threat. ~ MIDFIELDERS Heung-Min Son Suspended for the 1st leg and red carded at the weekend, it’s fair to say it hasn’t been the Korean international’s best week of the season. That may change in the 2nd leg though, and he’ll be super motivated given that this could very well be his last game of the season. Donny Van De Beek The Dutch midfielder found his scoring touch in the knockout phase and will want to follow up his first leg goal with another here. Phillipe Coutinho The Brazilian is an easy target for the Barca fans, but will relish the opportunity to bag one against his previous club — and silence his many critics in the process. Sadio Mane Injuries to Salah and Firmino place the brunt of Liverpool’s attacking burden firmly on the shoulders of the live-wire Senagalese international. ~ FORWARDS Luis Suarez A dynamite first leg showing was key to Barcelona’s big win. The Uruguayan would simply love to score one in front of the Liverpool fans who adored him in years gone by. Dusan Tadic The Serbian was heavily involved in the first leg and should be again when Spurs come to town. Lionel Messi I’m running out of adjectives to describe Messi. A devastating first leg performance was capped off by a stunning free kick that put a dagger into Liverpool hopes. Count on him to finish the job in the 2nd leg. Divock Origi The absence of first choice starter Roberto Firmino opens the door for the Belgian to spearhead the Liverpool attack. A match winning goal at the weekend will have done his confidence a world of good. ~ How is your fantasy UCL team looking? Who are your stars, and who are your enablers? Do you have any chips left? And whom do you expect to advance? Did that influence your picks? Please let us know in the comments below! ~<doc-sep>
Manchester United won the Champions League in 2008 (Picture: Popperfoto/Getty Images) The possibility of an all-English Champions League is very much alive after Liverpool’s spectacular victory over Barcelona in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. The Reds lost the first leg 3-0 in Spain but turned in a near-perfect performance to beat the Catalans 4-0 at Anfield and make it to the Champions League final for the second time in as many years. The responsibility now lies with Tottenham to produce a remarkable comeback of their own as they take on Ajax in Amsterdam in Wednesday night. Spurs lost the home leg 1-0 so the odds are stacked against them in Holland, but after watching Liverpool’s resurrection against Barca, anything is possible. If Mauricio Pochettino’s side can oust the Dutch team then they will set up the first all-English Champions League final since 2008. John Terry missed a penalty for Chelsea in the shootout (Picture: Popperfoto/Getty Images) The last time two Premier League sides contested the Champions League final was Chelsea and Manchester United’s meeting at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in 2008. It had been an exceptional year for English sides in Europe with Liverpool being knocked out by Chelsea in the quarter-finals and Arsenal ousted by Man Utd in the semis. Chelsea beat Barcelona in the final four to set up the clash with the Red Devils, but it was United that triumphed in Russia. The game finished 1-1 after Frank Lampard cancelled out a Cristiano Ronaldo opener to take the game to extra-time and, eventually, penalties. Ronaldo missed from the spot for United, but then John Terry slipped to miss his, before Nicolas Anelka also failed from 12 yards to see Alex Ferguson’s team lift the trophy. This was the only time in the history of the Champions League or its former guise of the European Cup that two English sides have met in the final. However, it has happened in the Europa League/UEFA Cup, when Tottenham beat Wolves in the final of the first ever edition of the tournament in 1972. MORE : Liverpool’s Andy Robertson should have been sent off for Lionel Messi incident against Barcelona, says ex-referee MORE : What Jurgen Klopp told Liverpool players before thrashing Barcelona 4-0 in Champions League semi-final