Champions League final: Liverpool's Kiev experience can give us edge over Tottenham, says Trent Alexander-Arnold
Youngster believes experience of losing last year's final could make the difference
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Your support makes all the difference.Trent Alexander-Arnold has earned Tottenham Hotspur that he does not want to experience another Champions League final defeat and is determined to help Liverpool become champions of Europe.
Alexander-Arnold is one of several Liverpool players who will line up at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night having experienced defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev last year.
Jürgen Klopp’s side have harnessed that disappointment to return to the final 12 months later, and Alexander-Arnold believes it could provide Liverpool with the edge they need to overcome their Premier League counterparts.
“Last season, the experience has helped us,” he said on Friday. “This season, I think we learned a lot from the game. It’d be daft to forget what happened last season and start afresh.
“We've used things throughout the season that we learned against Real Madrid in Kiev, the way they won the game and the way they went about things, how they beat us.
“We've matured as a team, we've shown how we can win games, how we can hold onto 1-0 leads, we keep clean sheets better.
“I think we've proven why we're such a good side and it’s because of the experiences that we've had so far and we'll use them as motivation tomorrow.
Alexander-Arnold added: “Personally I don’t want to feel how I felt last season in Kiev. That’ll be running through my mind tomorrow and maybe put that one or two per cent in.”
Having finished 26 points above Tottenham in the league table and beaten Mauricio Pochettino’s side home and away this year, Liverpool are considered favourites for Saturday’s showpiece.
The experience of playing on this stage before will also count in their favour, but Alexander-Arnold does not believe that there is a significant difference in quality between the two sides.
“I think in terms of the Champions League and getting to the final they are [underdogs], because obviously we got to one last year and they never. Clearly in that fact, yes.
“But in terms of quality, I think it's quite even. They've got world class players, we've got world class players. Tomorrow is a fight until the end to see who wins and who wants it more. It'll be difficult for both sides.
“Both have their game plans. I think it'll be a tactical game from both sides. Who ever comes out on top will deserve it and I'm sure the best team will win.”
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