sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
'If The Champions League Final Was A Boxing Match, Liverpool Would've Won On Points,' Says Liverpool Legend

Home> Football

Published 15:31 31 May 2022 GMT+1

'If The Champions League Final Was A Boxing Match, Liverpool Would've Won On Points,' Says Liverpool Legend

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes Real Madrid were "way off" being the better team on Saturday night.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

If the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool was a boxing match, then Jurgen Klopp's side would have won on points.

That's according to former Reds defender Steve Nicol, who believes winners Real Madrid were "way off" being the better team at the Stade de France. You can watch Nicol's argument on ESPN FC's YouTube channel below.

Do you agree with his statements?

Nicol, a former Scotland international who made 343 appearances during a 13-year spell at Anfield, also claims Los Blancos "rode their luck" in Saturday night's showpiece event.

In fact, he went on to question Carlo Ancelotti's post-match comments about how Madrid 'managed the game well' against the Premier League runners up.

Advert

"The fact is, as far as the way they played, Liverpool were the best team but they didn't score and lost the game," Nicol said. "It doesn't mean anything other than that. Real Madrid rode their luck.

"And you do have to think about what Carlo Ancelotti said after the game. He said they managed the game well.

"I mean, I guess he's being very, very optimistic because if that's how he wanted to play the game, by having one shot at goal and his goalkeeper making three incredible saves, then I'm not going along with that."

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Nicol added: "Listen, if it was a boxing match, Liverpool would have won on points. But it's not. You've got to score goals. And that's it.

"Real Madrid have won it. You can't change it but they weren't the better team. They were way off being the better team. But they got it done."


Thibaut Courtois' outstanding Man of the Match performance for the La Liga champions played a huge part in Los Blancos winning their 14th Champions League title.

After the full-time whistle, Ancelotti was full of praise for the Belgian shot-stopper.

“I said to Thibaut I’ll get you to the final and then you’ll win us the match. That is what happened,” he said. “The game was difficult but not as difficult as previous games because we didn’t have to come back with the score.

“Yes, I had doubt but the players didn’t have doubt. The players believed, believed, believed. We were under-control and tactically we worked well. Liverpool put pressure on us, shot a lot of times but we managed the game well.

“Liverpool are a great team, they haven’t lost many games this season. I think it is easier to win the Champions League with Real Madrid than with other clubs.

“The fans are special and born with a passion for the club. The structures at the club make this a special place. It has been very easy to coach this team.”

Thoughts on Nicol's comments? Let us know.


Featured Image Credit: ESPN FC/YouTube

Topics: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Champions League

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

22 mins ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • Getty
    22 mins ago

    Rift between Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid teammate emerges in Bayern defeat as unseen footage goes viral

    Real Madrid exited the Champions League with defeat to Bayern.

    Football
  • Simone Arveda/Getty Images + CBS Sports
    10 hours ago

    Patrick Vieira leaves CBS Sports studio in stitches as he slams Micah Richards' fashion choice

    The Arsenal legend didn't hold back.

    Football
  • Miguel Lemos/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    11 hours ago

    Arsenal prepared to sell two star players to fund blockbuster summer transfer

    The Gunners aren't afraid to make some big calls this summer.

    Football
  • Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
    12 hours ago

    David Ornstein drops bombshell on Arne Slot's future at Liverpool

    Arne Slot's future at Liverpool may has been decided following a disappointing season.

    Football
  • PSG ultras unveil wild hulk tifo during Liverpool Champions League clash
  • Liverpool Banned From Facing Real Madrid In Champions League Fixture By UEFA
  • Barcelona star sets unwanted record during Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid
  • Three Liverpool Players Messaged Trent Immediately After Champions League Draw