Richard Beniston sends an email: “It’s me or a nun enjoying a drink in this picture [10:58am] to The Kop bar? I wonder if he’s there to support James Milnun and VirginMary Van Dyke? Nun puns. This is a habit we must eliminate.
Speaking of scoring goals in the European Cup / Champions League final in Paris, former Reds left-back Alan Kennedy has been a man of memory this week. Although Bob Paisley told him that “the wrong Kennedy was shot” after a bad debut, the old Barney Rubble was a magical presence for Liverpool in the finals and of course hit the winner against Real Madrid in 1981.
A couple of things to highlight. First, Liverpool did not have a service coach in those days, but surely this is an aspirant to one of the best goals scored by one. He lowered his hat to Ray Kennedy for his quick reflection.
Secondly, this fresh air swing from the Madrid defender! Rafael Garcia Cortés was his name. Presumably, it did not have a flag that said “Spain”. Golf. Madrid. ” What did the 36-year-old disabled think? Repetition from behind the goal makes it look 20 times worse.
Updated at 11.33 BST
Liverpool and Real Madrid star Steve McManaman has one foot on both sides and talks to Louise Taylor here.
He also knows a thing or two about scoring a goal in the Champions League final in Paris. It was a marvel: his volley jump in the 67th minute that put Real Madrid 2-0 and on the way to victory 3-0 in Valencia in 2000.
Toni Kroos (the German, not the Colombian dog), Luka Modric and Casemiro will be the starters for Real Madrid’s midfield in Paris.
That means Eduardo Camavinga will be back on the bench, but Jonathan Liew says Liverpool must be wary of the Madrid supersub, who has played a key role in his career in the final.
Fans are already gathering in Paris. That was yesterday. Keep up the pace, boy.
A Liverpool fan poses for a photo outside the Kop Bar in Paris. Photography: Nick Potts / PA
Liverpool’s new star Luis Díaz was formed and forged in the streets of Barrancas and his mark on the city is evident. This is a wonderful piece about the background of the Colombian Iñigo Alexander. The pictures are great too.
And, it may be true, the dog of the Diaz family is called Toni Kroos!
Uefa has been criticized by disabled fan groups for the number of wheelchair accessible spaces in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Paul MacInnes reports that 76 wheelchair positions will be available for Liverpool and Real Madrid fans at the Stade de France, although the stadium includes 550 wheelchair accessible seats.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has made 50 stops in the Champions League this season, more than any other goalkeeper. Liverpool’s Alisson is 13th with 14 stops. Of course, you can interpret it in two ways.
No doubt Courtois was worth his weight in gold during Madrid’s crazy trip to the final.
Our man from Madrid, Sid Lowe, looks at the impact of the Belgian cap.
The selection of the Liverpool team should be simple: choose Ibrahima Konaté and 10 more. Because? The Frenchman has played 28 times for the Reds since joining RB Leipzig last summer and never lost. Andy Hunter interviews the central defender, who grew up on a municipal estate less than 10 km from the Stade de France.
Karen Carney anticipates the Champions League final and says Luis Diaz should start at Liverpool. He also has praise for two other stars shown in Paris.
Liverpool strikers have impressed all season, but their most important player is Virgil van Dijk. He is their most valuable asset. Salah, Mané and Thiago are rightly receiving a lot of applause, but if I were taken by a Liverpool player, I would take Van Dijk. It will have to be at its best because Liverpool will have to keep Karim Benzema quiet. When I saw Real Madrid at Chelsea, it was a one-man Benzema show. He’s the best player I’ve seen live in 18 months.