Liverpool vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League final build-up, TV channel info, team news and more tonight

The Uefa Champions League trophy on the eve of the 2022 final (AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool face Real Madrid in the Champions League final at the Satde de France in Paris.

It is a final covered in “great irony”, with Jurgen Klopp’s side able to secure a famous cup treble and seventh heaven for the Reds in terms of European Cups. While Los Blancos can add a 14th European crown. It is, of course, a repeat of the 2018 final in Kyiv, where Sadio Mane cancelled out Karim Benzema’s opener, which came from a howler from Loris Karius. A famous double from Gareth Bale, including a spectacular bicycle kick to hand the Spaniards the lead, soon followed to secure glory. Redemption for Jurgen Klopp’s side came just 12 months later with victory against Tottenham in Madrid, while tonight offers a chance of revenge, specifically for Mohamed Salah, who was injured so early on against Madrid four years ago. When pushed on the theme of revenge, Klopp downplayed its impact: “I don’t believe in revenge or think revenge is a fantastic idea. I understand what Mo said. He wants to put it right, but in Germany we say you always meet twice in life.”

After defeating Paris Saint-German, Chelsea and Manchester City in thrilling circumstances, Carlo Ancelotti is back on the biggest stage, with the Italian able to add a fourth Champions League title to his resume. The former AC Milan and Chelsea boss fondly remembers battles with the Reds, including the devastating defeat in Istanbul in 2007: “In my career in the Champions League, we have faced each other many times. The first time was in 1984, the final in Rome. I didn’t play because I was injured. Then, in 2005 and 2007, and of course, the rivalry was accentuated during the period I worked at Everton. Now, we’ll face each other again. They have a great squad, they’re difficult to go up against. They play at a very high level, with great physicality, but it’s a pleasure to play against them in the final.” Follow build-up, live team news, goal and score updates, analysis and reaction from Paris:

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Champions League Final 2022

Liverpool FC – Real Madrid CF

Real Madrid eye statement Champions League victory amid shifting landscape of European football

11:40 , Jack Rathborn

here has been one message that Florentino Perez has been especially keen to convey ahead of Real Madrid’s 17th Champions League final. That is to show Kylian Mbappe what he is missing.

The announcement of the French star’s signing ahead of a Paris final was intended to be a key part of the club’s build-up, fostering an even greater feeling that glory was inevitable. That was scuttled, and it has left the club scrambling – not least for a new signing.

Carlo Ancelotti is too much of a football man for such machinations, and too focused on his team, but he has told Perez it’s just one more setback to be overcome. That fits a theme, that the manager so pointedly asserted after the semi-final.

“I don’t think anybody – anybody – thought Madrid would play another Champions League final this season,” Ancelotti said, in a rare show of strong emotion. “And we’re there.”

That’s no empty statement, or a Jose Mourinho-type attempt to talk up his own impact. It’s true.

The great irony of Champions League’s clash of titans

11:30 , Jack Rathborn

When Mohamed Salah insisted he wanted Real Madrid in the Champions League final, it wasn’t just about revenge, or even himself. It reflected the view of a fair few people within Liverpool, but also the top levels of European football.

A grand showdown with Manchester City would have represented the zenith of modern football, bringing an era of rivalry to a peak, but it also would have peaked in terms of emotional intensity and Premier League domination. Jurgen Klopp’s players would have been ready, of course, but a third all-English final in four years would likely have been subject to the sort of stifling tension most one-country finals generally suffer from.

It similarly would have left the rest of Europe again feeling shut out.

There is little of that with Madrid. There isn’t quite the same sense of suffocation, since it feels someway different to be facing a big European club.

The great irony of Champions League’s clash of titans

Champions League Final: Liverpool fans light up Paris on eve of final

11:20 , Jack Rathborn

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

Champions League Final: Liverpool vs Real Madrid

11:12 , Jack Rathborn

Luka Modric plays with a ball during a training session (AP)

(AFP via Getty Images)

Karim Benzema plays with a ball during a training session (AP)

Champions League Final: Liverpool vs Real Madrid

11:05 , Jack Rathborn

(PA)

(EPA)

Gareth Bale attends a training session at the Stade de France (AP)

Champions League Final: Liverpool vs Real Madrid

10:52 , Jack Rathborn

The Champions League final is here! Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Liverpool vs Real Madrid in Paris at the Stade de France.

The atmosphere is bubbling in the French capital, with both sets of fans eager to add more glory to their decorated past, with the Reds keen to make it seventh heaven and Los Blancos keen to bring up No 14 in terms of European crowns.

Over the next few hours we’ll build up to the game with preview material, predictions, odds, analysis and eventually team news when it hits around 7pm BST. So stay on top and keep checking back in as we get set for the biggest match in club football.

(AFP via Getty Images)