Martin Keown predicts Tottenham to have joy against Liverpool full-backs in final

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Pundit Martin Keown feels that Tottenham could expose Liverpool in the full-back area if they can deal with the attack-minded pair of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson going forward.

Spurs and Liverpool clash on Saturday night in an all-English Champions League final in Madrid, where one will pick up Europe’s elite crown in club football.

Jurgen Klopp’s team start as favourites after winning both league meetings this season and finishing miles above them in the table, but both have enjoyed a sensational run to the final.

Keown has explained that Spurs may get some joy in wide areas breaking on the counter attack.

Right-back Alexander-Arnold and left-back Robertson often bomb forward to great effect, with the insurance of Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Fabinho covering behind them.

But Spurs have pace to burn in attack and it could be an interesting game of cat and mouse.

“Liverpool’s full backs are probably the best in Europe. They work hard and they press high, as per the Klopp system,” Keown wrote in the Daily Mail.

“The danger of that is they leave holes behind them. That is what Tottenham must try to exploit.

“Moura is a speedster, as is Son Heung-min, and Dele Alli is no slouch either. If Spurs can cope with their opponents closing them down and knock balls into those empty spaces, then they could have joy in Madrid.”

TBR’s View:

The long wait for the Champions League final is nearly over and it will be up to the players on the pitch to deliver.

Liverpool are rightfully the minor favourites going into the contest given the season they have had and it looks perfect for them to avenge their defeat in the European final to Real Madrid.

But Spurs can’t be taken lightly given they have eliminated the likes of Manchester City and Ajax already in the competition, so destiny may be on their side.

Liverpool’s full-backs are so influential going forward that they have won plenty of games for their team this season, but Spurs are set up brilliantly to expose that and Alexander-Arnold is perhaps a weak link defensively at times to look at.