football | Thursday, May 12, 2022 8:36 AM (Revised at: Thursday, May 12, 2022 8:15 PM)

Champions League Final News: Thursday May 12th

Kolade Daniel

We are only a fortnight away from an exciting Champions League final that will see Liverpool take on Real Madrid. While we looked prime for another all-English affair, the Spanish giants whipped their magic to knock Manchester City out in surprising fashion.

Ahead of the finals, bookmakers have Liverpool as favourites to win but you’d be wrong to follow that assumption in any way. In our prelude to the final, we’ll take a look at the top stories surrounding both sides and the Champions League as a whole, ahead of an interesting affair.

Agreement close on extra Champions League places

Europe’s leading clubs and UEFA are close to shutting down plans to include Champions League spots for two sides who fail to qualify via their league standings but have a strong historical European record.

Taking this season as an example, the proposal for the revamped Champions League, scheduled for the 2024/25 season would have seen sides like Manchester United, Villarreal or Roma handed slots in the competition despite missing out on qualification via the normal league route.

A ranking based on performances in European competitions over the previous five seasons was to be used but that has not gone down well by many.

A host of fans’ groups as well as the bodies for several domestic leagues have hit out at this plan, claiming it compromises the integrity of the Champions League. I agree with them as well. If UEFA were so quick to dismiss plans for a European Super League because of ‘integrity’, why are they considering this as well.

After away goals were recently scrapped in the competition, there are also plans to change the two-legged semi-final format to a single game. Reports also claim that the ECA have accepted that countries should be handed a limit of five spots maximum in the Champions League. This means it is now unlikely that all of the Premier League’s “big six” could feature in the tournament in the same season.

Get more betting tips for this match on our Liverpool vs Real Madrid Tips Page

Everyone supports Liverpool – Klopp laughs off Guardiola’s jibes

Jurgen Klopp has laughed off comments from Pep Guardiola, who claimed Liverpool are the darling of the media, despite struggling in the league over the past three decades.

“I don’t know exactly what situation Pep was in after getting knocked out of the Champions League — that’s already difficult enough to take, but then of course Liverpool made it to the final, eh?” Klopp said when asked to comment on Guardiola’s claims.

“Then you have (people saying) these kinds of things, ‘But they played Villarreal and we played Real.’ These kinds of things.

“And he’s right, on top of it … we’ve won the Premier League only once. I have no idea if the whole country is supporting us. I don’t know that. It’s not a feeling I get when we got to other places and play there. It’s actually the opposite, but maybe he knows that more than me.”

Both sides remain locked on for a title race that will go down to the wire and this has only made things even more interesting. As it stands though, Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League.

Kylian Mbappe spotted in Madrid – Leisure or more?

Kylian Mbappe caused a frenzy after he was spotted in Madrid on Monday amid strong rumours he’ll be signing for Real over the summer. His presence has brought about several theories among the Spanish media.

Both the front covers of Marca and AS featured Mbappe, who visited a restaurant alongside PSG team-mate Achraf Hakimi.

While the player only visited to blow off some steam, several quarters in the Spanish media believe Mbappe is already preparing for life ahead in the capital.

Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the Frenchman since last summer and it is well known that Mbappe dreams of playing for the Spanish giants as well.

Losing a player of Mbappe’s quality will come as a blow for any side but losing him for free is a double blow. It is expected that the 23-year-old will announce the decision over his future when the campaign is fully over.

Liverpool’s quadruple hopes under major threat

After dropping points to Tottenham at the weekend, Liverpool’s quadruple hopes are no longer in their hands. With three games to go, the Reds trail City by three points and will now need to win all their remaining games while hoping Guardiola’s men falter.

The chances of the above happening are rather slim, especially as City know the Premier League is their only shot at silverware this term.

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