Champions League: Lucas Moura finally reacts to Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, speaks on Pochettino

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Champions League: Lucas Moura finally reacts to Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, speaks on Pochettino

 

Tottenham Hotspur forward, Lucas Moura, has finally reacted to his side’s Champions League final 2-0 defeat to Liverpool over the weekend at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

Moura stated that he respected Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino’s decision for benching him against Liverpool, adding that he was sad and very proud of his teammates despite the loss.

Pochettino opted to play Heung-min Son, Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen against the Reds as goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side defeated Tottenham.

“I was very, very sad. It is normal, I wanted to win. I really thought it was possible,” Moura was quoted by Evening Standard as saying.

“I am sad but very proud of my teammates, my team. I think we had a wonderful season. It was not easy to reach the final.

“He [Pochettino] must choose a starting XI, I must respect it. Most importantly, I was ready to play. I was on the bench thinking about what I could do to help the team.

“When I entered, I tried to do the best but it was not possible. It is football; you have to respect the coach.”

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Champions League final: Michael Owen predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

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Champions League final: Michael Owen predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

 

Former Premier League star, Michael Owen has backed Liverpool to beat Tottenham Hotspur in tonight’s Champions League final in Madrid.

Owen, a former Liverpool star, believes it’s the Reds’ time to win the Europe top-flight competition having lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final last year.

Liverpool reached the Champions League final after defeating Barcelona in the semi-final encounter played last month, while Mauricio Pochettino’s side dumped Ajax out of the competition.

Owen told BetVictor, “Liverpool have lost their last four Cup Finals, but I don’t think that will count a jot in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

“This Liverpool team have come of age. They probably weren’t quite ready in Kiev 12 months ago – but they are now. Let’s hope Spurs going forward have their own day in the sun. They, too, deserve it.

“Jurgen Klopp has lost two Champions League finals; his Borussia Dortmund side lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich at Wembley in 2013 and his Liverpool side lost 3-1 to a Gareth Bale inspired Real Madrid in the Ukraine 12 months ago.

“Forget third time lucky – this is the Reds’ time.”

Owen added, “Harry Kane reported earlier in the week that he is fit for the Final although I would expect Mauricio Pochettino to start his star striker on the bench in lieu of his lack of match fitness.

“That said, you could say the same thing about both teams who start in Madrid given it will be just shy of 20 days since the clubs played their last PL game of the season. Too long? I wonder although at least it is a level playing field on Saturday.”

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Tottenham vs Liverpool: Pochettino releases strong starting XI for Champions League final [Full list]

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Tottenham vs Liverpool: Pochettino releases strong starting XI for Champions League final [Full list]

Tottenham Hotspur have released a strong squad to tackle Liverpool in tonight’s Champions League final in Madrid.

According to Evening Standard, Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino, released a list of 11 players to start the match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Tottenham reached the Champions League final after defeating Ajax in the semi-final encounter last month, while Jurgen Klopp’s side dumped Barcelona out of the competition.

Below is Tottenham’s starting XI against Liverpool:

Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Winks, Sissoko, Alli; Eriksen, Son, Kane.

The kick-off time for the match is 8pm.

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Champions League final: Danny Murphy predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

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Champions League final: Danny Murphy predicts Tottenham vs Liverpool

 

Former Liverpool star, Danny Murphy has backed Jurgen Klopp’s side to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final this Saturday in Madrid.

Murphy believes Liverpool will be too strong for Spurs, adding that the Reds have been winning under a lot of pressure recently.

Liverpool reached the Champions League final after defeating Barcelona in the semi-final, while Tottenham dumped Ajax out of the competition.

Speaking on Champions League final, Murphy was quoted by Mirror UK as saying: “It will be a good game but overall, Liverpool will have too much for Tottenham.

“Liverpool have been winning under a lot of pressure recently and it becomes a habit. Also, last year’s defeat to Real Madrid will want to be put to bed.

“Once you have done one or two finals, it does get easier and that will be a plus for Liverpool.

“But always in football, one bit of brilliance from Tottenham or a silly tackle from Liverpool then things will change. In football, anything can happen.

“I am an ex-Liverpool and ex-Tottenham player, but I was brought up on Liverpool and I want them to win but if they do lose, then they have lost to the humblest of managers and a team that has not been built of millions of pounds. It is a win-win for me.”

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Champions League: Barcelona hierarchy takes final decision on Coutinho’s future after 4-0 defeat to Liverpool

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Champions League: Barcelona hierarchy takes final decision on Coutinho’s future after 4-0 defeat to Liverpool

Barcelona have finally decided to sell midfielder, Philippe Coutinho at the end of the season after his lackluster performance in their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday.

Despite heading into Tuesday’s second leg at Anfield 3-0 up, the Spanish champions lost 4-0 to Jurgen Klopp’s men.

The Brazilian struggled to make an impact on the game and was replaced after 60 minutes by Nelson Semedo.

The 26-year-old was blamed for Barcelona’s shock exit from the Champions League.

SPN is now reporting that Barcelona hierarchy are disappointed with Coutinho after his disastrous display against Liverpool and have decided to sell the midfielder this summer transfer window.

The report also quoted a source as saying: “Coutinho is not a Barcelona player, that’s been made clear.”

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Champions League: Van Gaal blasts Ajax players after 3-2 defeat to Tottenham

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Champions League: Van Gaal blasts Ajax players after 3-2 defeat to Tottenham

 

Former Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal, has criticised Ajax players following their Champions League semi-final second leg 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

Lucas Moura netted thrice in the second half of Spurs’ semi-final second leg in Amsterdam to help the Premier League side overturn a 3-0 deficit to reach the final on away goals.

Moura struck twice in three minutes shortly before the hour mark.

The Brazilian then squeezed home the crucial goal in the 96th minute to spark incredible scenes.

But Van Gaal, a former Ajax coach, blamed Erik Ten Hag’s men for making wrong choices in possession of the ball during the match, describing their defeat as “completely unnecessary”.

“It was admirable that Spurs had the courage to never give up and try and do the business, but it was totally unnecessary of Ajax to let it all slip,” Van Gaal was quoted by Mirror UK as saying after the match.

“This defeat was completely unnecessary. At half time there was nothing wrong with a 2-0 lead.

“In the second half, Tottenham took more and more risk and more and more attackers entered the field. Ajax made the wrong choices in possession of the ball in that phase,” he said.

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