Former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Jamie O'Hara has backed Liverpool to comprehensively beat Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final in Paris on May 28.
The Reds progressed to the final, thanks to a 5-2 aggregate victory over Villarreal in the semi-finals. After losing the first leg 2-0 away, Unai Emery's side moved level on aggregate by half-time in the second before the Reds scored three unanswered goals.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, claimed a sensational 6-5 aggregate win over Manchester City in the last four. They lost the first leg 4-3 in Manchester and trailed 5-3 going into the 90th minute of the second leg. Los Blancos, though, turned the tie on its head, with Rodrygo scoring a quickfire double to force extra time before Karim Benzema scored the winner from the spot.
Earlier in the season, Madrid overcame aggregate deficits to beat PSG (3-2) and Chelsea (5-4) in the previous two rounds. Nevertheless, O'Hara believes Liverpool have the firepower to demolish the 13-time winners in the final. He told Stadium Astro;
"In a final, one-off game against Liverpool, I don't think Real Madrid can live with this team. If they're on it, with the way they (Liverpool) play, I think they'll destroy Real Madrid."
However, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp believes Real Madrid are the favourites to win the final. The German has reason to say so. Carlo Ancelotti's team will be well rested, as they have already won the La Liga title and could rest key players till the final.
The Reds cannot afford to do so, as they are in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple. They are three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City with three league games to play and face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 14.
Can Liverpool beat Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League final?
Liverpool arguably possess one of the best attacks in the world. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota have scored 72 goals between them this season.
Luis Diaz, meanwhile, has been a revalation since arriving in January, bagging seven goals and three games across competitions. His pace, trickery and work rate have helped him fit in perfectly in Klopp's system.
The Merseyside club could capitalise on Madrid's defensive frailties and win their second Champions League title in four years. Los Blancos have conceded 11 goals in their last six games in the competition, which could be their undoing against the Reds.
F412UL
472
when it comes to a final match, other performance from the season wont count and wont matter..back in 2017 2018 against Liverpool and against Juventus everybody put their money on those teams based on their form that season..but they were defeated..last season everybody thought that City will win but they lost to Chelsea..if Liverpool thought they can win this easily just because their team performs the best the whole season, well just wait until the matchday..its a battle of wits but also a battle of spirit and also who wants it more..there is a reason why Madrid won it 13 out of 16 final matches..thats 81% success rate
champions_Madrid
408
Liverpool 1 - 3 Real madrid
Nanarasta00
297
Haha , I love this .. I love the way they underestimate us being underdogs.. we shall surprise them up , we are going to smash them and teach them how finals is being won dirtying..remember it’s Madrid baby…let’s wait and see ..Hala Madrid ✌️
MadridMaldives
169
Peter Drury’s commentary at full-time of Real Madrid 3-1 Man City: "The night of the Real resurrection! The pure white shirts have shimmered spectacularly once again. And Real Madrid are Paris-bound. Real Madrid will play the big game again. The love affair goes on. Improbably, miraculously, impossibly, beyond their dreams, their expectations, and Pep does not know where to look! For the 17th time, this club of glitz and legend will go to the final of the European Cup. Blink it back, 6-5." This is what happens when you are not biased!
MadridMaldives
158
English pundits and former ELP players will never learn anything. They have been telling the same thing from the beginning; 1️⃣ PSG will thrash them. 2️⃣ Chelsea will thrash them. 3️⃣ City will thrash them. 4️⃣ Liverpool will thrash them. Here is a small story for you. Just enjoy it. ❤️
arafathsiyam
8
In knockout match : Real Madrid || Liverpool vs PSG🐯🐯🐯 || vs Inter Milan🐱🐱🐱 vs Chelsea🦖🦖🦖 || vs Benfica🐀🐀🐀 vs Man City 🦈🦈🦈 || vs Villarreal🐇🐇🐇 Yet some fools🦧think Real Madrid are not worthy of UCL final. We reached the final by miracle [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]