Physicality, chaos and Carvaal: Where to place the Livepool-Real Madrid match

Let's take a look at five areas where the finale of the League Champions can be won and lost, with Van Dijk's role among the factors.

Space behind Alexander - Arnold

It's one of those saws flowing into social networks every time Liverpool accepts a goal, or every time they get put under pressure: Trent Alexander - Arnold cannot be protected; he can be taken by surprise. And, worrying about Liverpool before Saturday, Rusty A in the case against him is last season's return-final match against Real Madrid when Winnicius Junior kept coming behind him, paving the way for both first goals.

Winnitius, as testified against Chelsea, is good at exposing high spaces to the flag, but knowing that Alexander - Arnold is not so adopted in one-on-one duels (there was another moment, early in the vault-final, when Ferland Mendy stood behind him with an unprecedented ease), the biggest issue is not really Alexander-Arnold.

His role is to push forward. He's a born chronicler, recording 12 assets in Premier League this season and coordinating fantasticly with Mohammed Salah. To do that, he has to play high. Such danger decreases not when it returns to the back or when it enters deeper, but from Liverpool's pressure, the pressure that should enable opponents to passive in that space behind defence- space that is always exposed to teams playing a high line.

The two goals of last season came from the pass made by Tony Croos, who in both cases had the opportunity to calibrate. That's what Liverpool needs to avoid. Perhaps Croos or Luca Modric can make a millimeteric pass under 50-meter pressure away on the road to Vinci, but this is essentially inevitable; the goal is to make this as difficult as possible. Liverpool's pressure from last season was much less efficient than it is now. Although the three-player midfield in Madrid seems relatively muscular-Fabinho accompanied by Naby Keita and Gini Wiinladum -- their starting positions were influenced by lack of confidence in the Nat Philips and Ozan Cabak, who may have had influence in Alexander-Arnold.

Van Dijk's Importance

It was striking last Sunday how often Wolves got behind Liverpool's defensive line, especially in the first part. Up to a scale, it's a permanent risk of how Liverpool plays, but it was extreme. Ibrahima Konate, perhaps, was shocked by his early mistake, but the biggest issue is Van Dijk, who is very good at predicting how high the line should be and when it should be pushed forward. He was an unused replacement in the last two matches in the league after being forced to leave after 90 minutes in the FA Cup final after the pain in the thigh and predictions are that he will be ready to begin. Liverpool needs it.

Can Madrid resist Liverpool's physics?

It's always kind of a surprise when an overrated cliche of English football turns out to be true. Two seasons ago, when Manchester City defeated Madrid in the 16th of the League Champions, it was simply amazing how Madrid was crushed by City pressure. Madrid has improved since then and will not be caught unprepared again, but, however, this midfield of Modric, Kroos and Casemiro -- all three have been physically crushed.

Loss 4-0 at home by Barcelona and the first hour of the Etihad match this season show how fragil can be to pressure. There is, perhaps, an argument for Carlo Anceplott to start Eduardo Camavinga, probably instead of Croo, considering what he can offer in the energy sense. But Croos was more of a strategic in Madrid's victory over Liverpool last season, and Camavinga was extremely effective when it came from the bank in the preliminary phase. It may happen that, like against Chelsea, Federico Valverde will be used in a more attractive role on the right.

There will likely be a part of the match in which Liverpool's wonderful physics will give them a boost. PSG, Chelsea and City all had these moments. What's essential is that they [Liverpool] use this.

Last season's memories will make Liverpool worried about the danger that Mendy can bring back when he moves forward to the left, but he's involved in only three goals in the league this season and probably he'll be involved mainly in the halting of Salah, even though he can be exposed if Winnicius stands up in duels with Alexander-Arnold.

Madrid's Agents

On the other hand, however, Dani Carvaal can present a real opportunity for Liverpool. He looks like a 30-year-old slack in running, and until it's not a shame to be exposed by Kilian Mbarppee, he also suffered against Riyad Mahres and Chelsea doubles, Timo Werner and Marcos Alonso. The expectations are that Louis Diaz will be the one to start on the left of Liverpool, but there must be a temptation for Jurgen Klopp to have Sadio Mane running on the side of Carvaal.

The chaotic Protocol

The advantage of Madrid in the elimination rounds has a large degree of logic lack. They have been defeated for long stages, but thanks to the miracle of Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois and Modric, they were ruthless when they were able to break the match by controlling the opponent. They have won their last five matches with a total score of 14-10. They've blossomed in shit. Liverpool may have left the football heavey-metal that characterised Klopp's teams, but despite that, they are well equipped to manipulate chaos better than most superclusters.

♪ Sokol Berisha, Periscopi