Five key player battles for Liverpool v Spurs in Champions League final
By David Gate
No. 2 – Sadio Mane v Kieran Trippier
This is a dream matchup on the basis of current form for Liverpool fans. In the second half of this season Mane has arguably been Liverpool’s best player, contributing brilliant goals at key times over the last few months.
The Senegalese forward grabbed a share of the Premier League Golden Boot award with Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earlier this month, highlighting his progress and production.
The 27-year-old is hitting the peak of his career. However his opponent is on a downslide. Kieran Trippier was challenging Kyle Walker as the best right back in England just a year ago but has since slid to being dropped by Gareth Southgate as he has been eclipsed by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
His Premier League form has been poor and he has become the brunt of much ire for Spurs fans after some comical errors in 2019. There is a reason their fanbase is clammering for Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer.
There is no way Trippier can deal with Mane on his own. That will mean drawing help from Toby Alderweireld or Christian Eriksen which in turn opens up space for Roberto Firmino and Andrew Robertson.
If Mane can torture Trippier early in the game the whole match could open up for Liverpool to play exactly how they want to and dominate this game.