It was a good run for the Reds. My feeling was that Liverpool would only have a chance if they could smash and grab an early lead and hang on for dear life.
When Mo Salah went out in the middle of the first half, the air was out of the balloon. But the team hung tough and got to halftime 0-0. However, you just had the feeling that Real Madrid would eventually breakthrough.
Sadly, the break came off an error from Liverpool goalkeeper Karius. Yet, Liverpool had one last gasp left as they gamely got the equalizer. However, goal number two for Real Madrid was a top 10 all-time highlight goal from Bale. Goal number three was icing for Real Madrid and sadly came off another error from Karius.
As a Los Angeles Dodger fan, the 2017 World Series was lost for a variety of reasons but the most public face of the defeat was the pitching collapses of Darvish (game 3 and 7), Kershaw (game 5), and Jansen (game 2, 5). Pitchers get the outs or give up the runs and are easily defined as heroes or scapegoats. However, in looking up and down the roster, you can also point to the poor hitting by the Dodgers.
It would be too easy to blame Karius for the loss. In the end, the Liverpool mid-field was overmatched. Also, you have to look at the bench of Liverpool. When Salah had to come out, there really was a very steep drop off in capability. No one on that Liverpool bench would probably make the B-team of Real Madrid.
Some people say Klopp can't win the "big game." I think that is a somewhat an unfair charge. Real Madrid was playing for its third Champions League Cup. They had the talent on paper and the experience. I don't think anyone had Liverpool making the finals when the Champions League campaign began. I remember listening on internet radio the road game Liverpool played in Moscow in the group stage. It was 1-1 and people had serious doubts about what Liverpool was capable of.
Good season for the Reds! Hopefully, they can add a few more pieces in the summer and make a serious run at the Premier League title in 2018-2019 and another strong showing in the European Cup!
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