Liverpool and Real Madrid will face off in the Champions League final at Paris' Stade de France on Saturday, marking their third meeting in the competition's history. Liverpool seeks a seventh European Cup to equal AC Milan, while Real Madrid aims for a record 14th title under manager Carlo Ancelotti, who previously won the trophy in 2003, 2007, and 2014 with different clubs.
The match, scheduled for 9:00pm (1900 GMT), will draw 80,000 spectators. This will be the second final between the clubs since 2018, when Liverpool lost 3-1 in Kyiv amid Mohamed Salah's injury from a challenge by Sergio Ramos. Real Madrid's campaign included comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City, with coach Ancelotti calling the achievement "huge" after reaching the final for the fifth time in nine seasons.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp emphasized the significance of the game, stating, "I'm more than happy and proud of what we did so far, it's really special. I will feel better if we win the game and that's all that I am concerned about." The Reds have confirmed Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are fit, while Real relies on Karim Benzema, who has 15 goals in the competition this season and 44 overall to lead Madrid to the Spanish title.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Benzema as "one of the best players in the world, probably the best forward in the world." The final was moved from Saint-Petersburg following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with 60,000 Liverpool fans traveling to France. This will be the third Champions League final between the clubs, with Liverpool's 1981 victory at the Parc des Princes remaining a key historical milestone.
