“I am probably the world record holder in winning semi-finals. I could write a book about that but no one would buy it,” said Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp in a press conference a day before the final match.
Klopp had lost six straight major finals since Dortmund’s 2012 German Cup victory before the Reds triumph last night.
Mo Salah scored the game’s first goal at the 2-minute mark after Moussa Sissoko’s handball 22 seconds into the match. Salah’s goal was the second-fastest goal in Champions League final history — Paulo Maldini netted 50 seconds into the 2005 final.
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“Everyone has seen what happened,” said Spurs coach Pochettino. “Any three-week plan is gone with the penalty after 20 seconds. Nobody expected it and the effect was very negative for the team.”
“At no time does he move his hand in search of the ball. It was a refereeing decision that’s impossible to foresee. Mentally it was very difficult, it’s about learning and experimenting.”
Salah’s penalty kick wouldn’t be the game’s only goal.
With Tottenham pushing the envelope on Liverpool in the second half, it appeared that the Spurs were going to equalize. But Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson kept his ground and preserved the clean sheet, including making three crucial saves in the last 11 minutes.
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Alisson’s solid performance earned him Man of the Match. He also equaled compatriot Julio Cesar in recording just the second clean sheet in Champions League final history.
Super sub Divock Origi who struck twice against Barcelona, sealed the win with Liverpool’s second in the 87th minute. Origi’s third goal of the Champions League matched the number of goals he scored in the Premier League all season earning his mark as a big game player.
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Liverpool’s 6th Champions League/European Cup title breaks a tie for the 3rd-most all-time. It also means that Klopp’s fairytale season is complete. After the match, the German said that winning Champions League is the “best night of our professional lives.”
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