An early free-kick for Liverpool on the left. Alexander-Arnold curls it in and Benzema clears. Liverpool have started on the front foot. The legs in that Real midfield…” says Ruth Purdue. “It didn’t work against City so I worry for them. Need the excellent Camavinga in it. He changed the game.
It’s been a fairly slow start. That might be down to the delayed kick-off, with both teams – Madrid especially – trying to find their bearings. Thiago looks okay, since you asked, but Sadio Mane is limping after a strong challenge by Casemiro.
Nothing much is happening. The atmosphere is subdued, the tempo fairly slow. It needs a chance at one end or another to get everyone going. Still nothing to report. Liverpool have been the better side, though they are not playing with their usual intensity.
I think the 37th minute was your first mention of Modric,” says John Starbuck. “Hasn’t he been as usually effective yet?” I find MBMs aren’t a great guide to individual performances, certainly not with subtler players like Modric or Xavi. But he has been pretty quiet.
Robertson’s corner is headed away by Benzema to Henderson, 30 yards out, and he whistles a shot well wide. It was beautifully struck but nowhere near the target. Robertson plays a short pass into Mane in the area. He spins away from Militao, who tracks Mane well and blocks the resulting shot on the stretch. Corner to Liverpool. Mane looks really sharp by the way.
After a very quiet start, Vinicius and Benzema are starting to make mischief on the left wing. It’s not an exciting game but it remains a thoroughly intriguing one.
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— Arman Tatli (@ArmanTatli) May 28, 2022