Liverpool and Real Madrid players test Stade de France pitch during training - in pictures

Liverpool and Real Madrid players were extra attentive during training at the Stade de France ahead of their Champions League final on Saturday, with the newly-laid surface in the spotlight.

The Reds take on the Spanish giants in the title showdown on a pitch that was dropped in just two days prior, a development that has been met with scepticism.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has questioned the wisdom of dropping a new surface so close to the match and also expressed his concerns over the quality of the surface.

"Usually when I say the pitch looks new, that is good news. This pitch is new since yesterday, which is not the best news - but it will be the same for both teams," Klopp said on Friday.

"I saw the refs with their session and the good news is, the ball drops normal. You can see the lines where they put the pieces of the pitch [together], which is what we aren't used to.

"That someone thought it was a good idea to bring the pitch the day before to the stadium is an interesting idea. But it didn't kill my mood a per cent. I am really happy we are here, I would have played the game on petanque."

Liverpool fans at the Place de l'Hotel de Ville in Paris ahead of Saturday's Champions League final. PA

Uefa confirmed a new pitch had been laid. The Press Association reported that France will play two Nations League games against Denmark and Croatia before June 13, ahead of the surface being ripped up again after the Top 14 rugby final at the end of the month.

"I think both teams are technical teams and you would wish - in a dream world - that the pitch is the best you ever saw in your life," added Klopp.

"That's obviously not the case. You will hear the same from [Real Madrid boss] Carlo [Ancelotti]. Definitely, if you