Liverpool and Tottenham will be permitted to name a 23-man squad for the Champions League final squad as part of new rule set, according to the official club website.
A historic comeback against Barcelona saw Anfield erupt into hysterics as the Reds progressed to the final of the Champions League earlier this month.
Tottenham followed in Liverpool’s footsteps the following day by coming back from a three-goal deficit against Ajax Amsterdam to book their spot in the final.
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The two English sides will do battle next month to be named Champions of Europe and enjoy bragging rights back home.
With the three and a half week wait between the semi-final and the final, both sides are welcoming injured stars back to full fitness and will both be able to boast close to fit squads.
This will be crucial as UEFA’s new rules allow for participating teams to name 23-man matchday squads for the final which will allow for both sides to have greater variety when introducing players from the bench.
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As teams tend to do in finals, Liverpool and Spurs are both likely to begin the game slowly and avoid conceding an early goal and risk allowing the other the chance to gain the upper hand.
While neither side is able to boast as talented a bench as Manchester City can, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino certainly won’t be complaining about the ability to name a bigger bench.
It will allow Liverpool the chance to try and gain a two-goal advantage and then introduce more defensive players and shut up shop late in the second half.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP
Liverpool have beaten Spurs twice in the Premier League this season and while this might count for little as league form is often arbitrary in a cup final, it will be a confidence boost for the Reds.
Klopp could win his first piece of silverware as Liverpool manager next month and that would take a level of pressure off his shoulder as well as aid him in the transfer window as players will want to join the Champions of Europe.