UCL final: Benitez taciturn, Mbappe back Madrid

Former Liverpool and Real Manager Rafael Benítez believe a moment of brilliance by a special player will determine the winner between Liverpool and Real Madrid in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final

Benítez gives UEFA.com his assessment of the finalists and explains what it feels like to coach at the very highest level.

Benitez  said "A player can change a game with individual talent, and Real Madrid have shown that with the way they've got to the final, with [Karim] Benzema chipping in at key moments.

"Real Madrid are well drilled and have quality. [Carlo] Ancelotti has given them confidence and calmness. Liverpool’s defence needs to be wary of Benzema's quality, Vinícius [Junior]'s pace and Rodrygo's eye for goal.

"Likewise, Real Madrid’s backline won’t get a moment's peace. [Jürgen] Klopp wants his side to be intense and he does this by having a competitive squad. To do that, you need players on the bench who make life difficult for those who are starting.

"In the past, when you spoke about Liverpool’s attackers it used to be just [Mohamed] Salah, [Sadio] Mané and [Roberto] Firmino, but now you have to add [Diogo] Jota, [Luis] Díaz and [Divock] Origi to that list.

"Liverpool have quality and intensity, and they tend to have more of the ball than their opponents. They create attacks rather than waiting to hit on the break.

"It will be interesting to see how a team like Madrid, who are used to having the majority of possession in the Liga, deal with a side who press so aggressively to recover the ball."

Benitez who spent years in Madrid academy as a player and coach said "I spent years at the Real Madrid academy as a player and a coach, and you get used to winning.

That is a genuine winning mentality and it takes years to develop. Coming second is a crisis, so [finals] are seen as a challenge, a motivation. You need to show confidence so everyone can give the best version of themselves.’’.

Benitez has an  advice for first-timers in the final

“What would I say to players experiencing a big final for the first time?

"For any player, but especially the youngsters, I’d tell them to be themselves. If they are playing, it’s because they’ve shown that they deserve to.

"They should play their game, follow the gameplan, but play with confidence in themselves. Don’t let a mistake get on top of you; keep trying."

Meanwhile, PSG striker Kylian Mbappe who broke the heart of millions of Madrid fans by re-engaging on his promise to join the club has said on Twitter that he will support Real Madrid against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the final of the Champions League this coming weekend.

The 23-year-old France international forward has publicly said that he will back Madrid against Liverpool.

The Red were also linked with a move for the 23-year-old in the summer transfer window.

Klopp publicly praised the forward, but it seems that Mbappe does not want Liverpool to win against Madrid in the Champions League final.

Mbappe wrote on Twitter, as translated by BBC Sport: “I can imagine their disappointment. I will be their biggest fan in the Champions League final in Paris. My home.”

Liverpool will head into the Champions League final against Real Madrid as favourites.

Yes, Madrid beat Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City on their way to the final, but Liverpool have arguably the better team.

Liverpool have one of the strongest attacking units in Europe, and they are likely to score a goal or two against Madrid.

However, as Los Blancos showed against Chelsea, PSG and City, you can never write them off.