Real Madrid staying power will keep Liverpool on guard

As soon as Liverpool booked their place in the Champions League final, Mo Salah didn't wait around to reveal who he would like to join them in Paris.

We have a score to settle. pic.twitter.com/MWxfhIIW78

The Reds do have a score to settle with a Manchester City side that have twice pipped them to Premier League titles by a point over the past four seasons but it was obvious Real Madrid and the anguish of having the 2018 final ruined by the impact of a Sergio Ramos challenge was at the forefront of his mind.

He's got what he's wanted and Liverpool are favourites to win a second Champions League title in four seasons on Saturday night which will be live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 7pm.

But with this particular Real team, who revel in defying conventional wisdom, is it a case of be careful what you wish for?

"In any other game, you're looking at the quality of players in their squads and Liverpool you'd have them favourites all day long," former Ireland, Sunderland and Manchester City striker Stephen Elliott told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast alongside ex-Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers and The Independent chief football writer Miguel Delaney.

"But this is Real Madrid we're talking about and they're an absolute powerhouse in world football and it's no coincidence they won so many Champions League titles and European Cups over the years.

"Because as a club, no matter who's playing for that team, you always sense that they're going to be there or thereabouts and stay in big games.

"There's an energy which comes from their supporters and being a Real Madrid player, knowing the history of the club and that speaks for a lot when you're going into a final of a European competition and one that they've been in and been successful in so often.