Liverpool aims to end Real reign in Champions League final

The Spanish giant is in the midst of another golden era, dreaming of making it a fourth Champions League in five years. Neither Atletico Madrid (twice) nor Juventus has been able to stop Cristiano Ronaldo from inflicting pain on it in recent finals. But Liverpool's own attacking quality gives it reason to believe and suggests the Olympic Stadium in the Ukrainian capital could be the scene of an unforgettable encounter.

Real's 12 European Cup wins puts it way ahead of the rest, but Liverpool has lifted the famous trophy five times itself, most recently in 2005, defying all the odds against AC Milan in Istanbul.

This time, under Klopp, its adventure started against Hoffenheim in the play-offs last August, continued with a 3-3 draw in Seville when it had been three goals up, before blossoming into stunning wins over Manchester City and Roma. It has scored a record 46 goals in all in this season's Champions League, with Salah netting 11 of those -- the Egyptian has 44 in all competitions since joining from Roma last year.

Klopp has lost his last five major finals as a coach, including the 2013 Champions League with Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich, and the 2016 Europa League with Liverpool against Sevilla. Experience means his team have to be the outsider in Kiev -- none of the squad have ever played in a Champions League final before -- but Klopp knows Zinedine Zidane's side cannot dismiss them.

Salah will of course be so important, especially if Marcelo is unable to resist the temptation to abandon his left-back position and join the Real attack. While Gareth Bale is unlikely to make Zidane's line-up, it will be interesting to see how the Liverpool midfield cope against Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. 

Real can became the first team since Bayern in 1976 to lift the European Cup three years running, and thereby make it five consecutive titles for Spain. Ronaldo could win his fifth Champions League. That would equal the individual record, and leave him in sight of yet another Ballon d'Or. Zidane, meanwhile, is on the brink of a third straight Champions League win as a coach.

"We have already made history and we want to keep on doing it. It would be incredible," said defender Raphael Varane. "I still don't think we have realised the scale of what we are doing, but when all this is over we will. Through experience we know how difficult it is going to be, but experience gives more security and serenity as well."

The build-up to the game itself has been overshadowed by complaints from fans of both sides that getting to Kiev -- and finding accommodation there -- has been too expensive. With fans undertaking arduous over-land journeys to get to Ukraine, and paying extortionate rates for rooms.