Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool: Champions League final player ratings and talking points

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Liverpool player ratings

Alisson Becker: Barely troubled in the first half. Came out positively to claim when he needed to, saved well from Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura, did even better with Christian Eriksen's later free-kick and another from Son. 9

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Looked exposed early on but winning a one-on-one with Son midway through the first half was the confidence-booster he needed. Got better as the game went on and his crossing from open play was a threat. 7

Joel Matip: Steady and dependable from Liverpool's 'other' centre-back. Nothing fussy. Did his job and did it well. 7

Virgil Van Dijk: The big Dutchman is made for games like this. Cruised through until he had to step on the gas to catch Son as he burst into the area and casually dispossessed the Korean. 9

Andy Robertson: Another energetic performance from the Scot, who went close with a powerful first-half effort which was tipped over by Lloris. 7

Fabinho: Went unnoticed for most of the game but that should not diminish his contribution. Distribution and ball retention could have been better but did a decent-enough holding job. 7

Jordan Henderson: Under-stated and under-rated performance from the captain. Drove them forward when legs were flagging in the second half. 7

Georginio Wijnaldum: Lacked his usual composure and drive in midfield. Never got a handle on midfield and managed just 15 touches. Replaced by the more robust Milner. 5

Mohamed Salah: Calmness personified for the early penalty. Not at his scintillating best but the goal was some reward to ease the heartbreak of last year. 6

Roberto Firmino: Returned after missing the last three matches and it showed. Lacked his usual spark and was replaced just before the hour. 5

Sadio Mane: Liverpool's liveliest attacker. Won the penalty, was a constant threat down the left and never stopped running. 8

SUBSTITUTES

Divock Origi (for Firmino, 58): Switched roles from a nine to a 10 but, as he has done on several occasions this season, popped up with a crucial goal. 7

James Milner (for Wijnaldum. 62): Unlucky not to start as one of Jurgen Kopp's trusted lieutenants. Flashed one left-footed shot just wide. Added some necessary experience. 7

Joe Gomez (for Mane, 89): Late replacement for the tiring Mane to close out the game at 2-0. 6

Tottenham player ratings

Hugo Lloris: The World Cup winner last season was unable to add another major honour to his name and could do nothing about either Liverpool goal. 6

Kieran Trippier: Capped a disappointing personal season with a patchy display, where he was particularly wasteful in possession. 5

Toby Alderweireld: Quite possibly the Belgian's last game for the club, he put in a usual solid performance. 6

Jan Vertonghen: Back after an ankle injury, the defender struggled against the pace of Liverpool's attack. 5

Danny Rose: Had more of an attacking role down the left for Spurs but could not provide any moments of danger. 7

Moussa Sissoko: A terrific season for the Frenchman ended in disappointment as he gave the penalty away and went off injured. 5

Harry Winks: Making his comeback after groin injury, the midfielder showed glimpses of creativity, but was sacrificed as Spurs chased the game. 6

Dele Alli: So often a big-game player for his side, but he had a night to forget in Madrid. 4

Christian Eriksen: Another Spurs player who could be leaving in the summer, Eriksen almost levelled with a fine free-kick but did not have a big an impact as he would have liked. 7

Son Heung-min: His pace frightened Liverpool at times, but he was not at his most dangerous. 7

Harry Kane: It was a gamble to start him having not played since early April and one that ultimately did not pay off. 6

SUBSTITUTES

Lucas Moura (on for Winks, 65): Missed Tottenham's best chance to level when he shot straight at the goalkeeper. 6

Eric Dier (on for Sissoko, 74): Could make no real impact. 5

Fernando Llorente (on for Alli, 82): Unable to affect the game. 5

Champions League Final Talking Points

Klopp's seventh heaven

Jurgen Klopp laughed off his terrible losing record in finals before the match, branding himself the "world record-holder in winning semi-finals" but finally, at the seventh time of asking, he has been victorious. It is his first trophy since moving to England in 2015 and a first Champions League title. He has also written himself into Anfield folklore by delivering a sixth European Cup or Champions League, taking them a clear third in the all-time list behind Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Salah's final redemption

In the Champions League final 12 months ago Mohamed Salah left the Kiev pitch in tears after only half an hour when Sergio Ramos inflicted a shoulder injury. The Egyptian, who had a sensational season, was Liverpool's main threat and their evening turned south quickly after his exit. Salah has been nowhere near as good this season, but he was able to finish on a high as he struck an early goal. There was never any doubt about the result of his second-minute penalty as he smashed it down the middle, scoring the second fastest Champions League final goal in history. He did not do too much else, but this was a sweet moment for him.

Spurs' final regret

This was Tottenham's first Champions League final, but a magnificent, and dramatic, campaign ended in disappointment and they will regret how things panned out in the Spanish capital. Going behind early in Europe this season has been a common occurrence as Salah's early spot-kick was the eighth time they have conceded in the opening 15 minutes, but they responded well. They had enough chances in the second half to draw level before Origi's late second, the best of which fell to Lucas Moura. He shot straight at Alisson, though as it was not Spurs' night.

The Kane gamble

Mauricio Pochettino said he had a "painful" decision to make in whether to start with the fit-again Harry Kane or Amsterdam hero Lucas Moura and he went with his talisman and top scorer. It was a gamble given Kane, who is a notorious slow starter after injuries, has not played since April and one that ultimately did not pay off. He was a virtual passenger in the first half but did at least improve slightly after the break. However, Virgil Van Dijk totally bossed the England captain, who had to wait until injury time to get a shot on goal.

Penalty or no penalty?

The blessing of Origi's late second goal at least meant that the final was not decided by a penalty that was hotly-contested. There is a big debate as to whether referee Damir Skomina was right to point to the spot after Sadio Mane's cross hit Moussa Sissoko on the chest and rolled onto his outstretched arm. The UEFA directive is that if the body is not in the natural position when the ball strikes the arm then it should be penalised, but that is not a decision we are used to seeing in English football. With VAR coming into the Premier League next season, it is a debate that is sure to rumble on.

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