Liverpool ratings v Real Madrid: Calamity Karius; Mane shows his mettle

We rate and slate the Liverpool players after the devastating 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev on Saturday night.

Jurgen Klopp picked his strongest possible side, going with his favoured 4-3-3 formation but was hit by Mo Salah’s first-half injury and then two huge blunders from keeper Loris Karius as Real made it three successive wins in Europe’s premier cup competition.

Here’s how the Liverpool side rated.

Loris Karius: Made two of the worst goalkeeping errors in Champions League final history to hand Real the win. 3 (out of 10)

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Not at his best and looked a little nervy at times. Had a good effort saved by Keylor Navas in the first half. 6

Dejan Lovren: Solid display from the big Croatian against a lively Real attack. 6.5

Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool’s best defender on the night and barely put a foot wrong 7.5

Andrew Robertson: Failed to get forward as much as usual and not quite himself. 6

Jordan Henderson: Shielded the defence fairly well but not in the same class as the influential Luka Modric opposite him. 6.5

Georginio Wijnaldum: Drove forward well in the second half but failed to impact the game. 6

James Milner: Industrious as ever but his overall play lacked true quality on the night. 6

Sadio Mane: Liverpool’s best player on the night and the only one to pose a real threat to the Real defence after Salah went off. 7.5 

Mohamed Salah: Was in tears after being forced off with a shoulder injury after 30 mins. Had been fairly quiet up until that point. 6

Roberto Firmino: Started fairly well but completely anonymous after Salah departed the scene. 5.5

 

Subs:

Adam Lallana (on for Salah, 30): Failed to get into the game at all after coming on for the crestfallen Salah 5.5

Emre Can (on for Milner, 83): Not on long enough to earn a mark in what was likely his final Liverpool display.

 

Manager:

Jurgen Klopp Watched his side start well but then suffer the huge body blow of Salah going off and then Karius’ two howlers. Not much to call on from the bench either as Real took control of the game. 6.5