Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has predicted that the Reds will lift their seventh European crown with a 2-0 success over Real Madrid at the Stade de France on Saturday.
The Merseyside outfit head into the clash in Paris aiming to overcome their Spanish counterparts and claim what would be their second Champions League title under Jurgen Klopp. It is not expected to be an easy assignment for the Reds, however, as Real have been victorious on 13 previous occasions, with boss Carlo Ancelotti having won the competition three times himself in the past.
Having featured in two Champions League finals with the Reds - famously winning against AC Milan in 2005 - Gerrard is backing Liverpool to once again claim glory this time around.
Speaking on the club’s official social media channels having travelled over to Paris, the now-Aston Villa boss said: “You can feel the atmosphere building. I’d like to wish everyone at Liverpool the best of luck, and I hope they get the outcome that everyone wants.
“I’m getting excited for the game and the fans are building up nicely outside the stadium. Hopefully it’ll be a fantastic game and I predict a 2-0 Liverpool win.”
Gerrard is expected to be part of BT Sport’s coverage of the game on Saturday evening but has wasted no time in getting a close look at the players who will be taking to the pitch for the Reds. According to the Liverpool Echo, the iconic former midfielder was spotted watching on from the stands at the Stade de France as Liverpool underwent training.
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He was apparently joined by former Reds Peter Crouch, Joe Cole and Steve McManaman - the latter having also represented Real Madrid throughout his career. Like Gerrard, he is predicting the Reds to head into the game more fancied but has disputed the claim that they are out for revenge having been defeated 3-1 the last time the pair met in a major European final in 2018.
Speaking with Stadium Astro, he said: “We’re talking about two teams who have had brilliant, brilliant seasons. So both of them don’t have any weak points, because when you are successful, it means you are playing very well, and it means that you are on top of your game. So that’s why the final is so special.”
McManaman continued: “[Revenge] is just a good word for the media, to put it like that. But Liverpool and Real Madrid are far too big, far too successful to be interested in revenge. I think Liverpool will be favourites but I am wrong lots of times.”
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