SportBook Service | Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah NOT the key to Champions League glory Liverpool and Real Madrid must focus on defensive gaps

ALL the talk has been about Mo Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo but thats not the key to who will reign in Kiev.

The game will be won and lost by how each team can exploit the gap between the other sides full-back and centre-back.

Teen right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could be set for the biggest game of his life so far - in more ways than oneCredit: PA:Press Association

Liverpool have been sensational in Europe and Trent Alexander-Arnold, 19, and Andrew Robertson, 24, have been as important as anyone.

But they have a hell of a task ahead of them tonight to contain Real Madrid.

The full-backs are not going to win the game but a look at the two average position maps highlights just how pivotal they will be.

Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal push high up the pitch and I cannot see Zinedine Zidane changing tactics now. Why would he? He has back-to-back Champions League titles.

Marcelo has been at Real Madrid since 2007 and has also won 52 caps for BrazilCredit: Getty - Contributor

Powerhouse Andrew Robertson has enjoyed a superb season for LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images - Getty

But Real play so high up, with only one recognised sitting midfielder, the space left in behind is the area Jurgen Klopp will be targeting.

The turnover of possession is so important and there is no better exponent than Liverpool on the counter attack.

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Boss Zidane could shore that area up by playing Mateo Kovacic, who can sit and protect, but that would mean leaving out Luka Modric or Toni Kroos.

If not, youre asking centre-backs Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos to go into areas, against Salah and Sadio Mane, that they would rather not.

While those areas are the ones where the Reds can take advantage, the same applies to Real.

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Real Madrid full-backs Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal might have a bigger role in the Champions League final than normally thoughtCredit: Getty - Contributor

I expect both TAA and Robertson to play a bit deeper than they usually do.

At times they will play narrow and task Salah and Mane with tracking the marauding Marcelo and Carvajal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has won a place in the World Cup squad for England after his first full Premier League seasonCredit: Corbis - Getty

Mo Salah has had his best ever season and to many is rated as the best hope Liverpool have of winning the Champions LeagueCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

There will be times when the Kop full-backs go out wider to challenge the ball.

This is where communication is key if its not spot on, Ronaldo and friends will make them pay.

Liverpools full-backs have to choose wisely when they push out. And when they do, the others have to come across that is the key to keeping Real out.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp heaps praise on to Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Champions League final

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid and once before that with Man UtdCredit: EPA

A lot of talk has been about the array of attacking talent.

But its not as simple as that.

The movement and communication of the defenders and the spaces they leave will be the biggest factor in who are crowned champions of Europe.

Marcelo has been one of the best attacking left-backs in Europe for a decadeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Liverpool and Real Madrid enjoy fanzone in Kiev as they takeover city ahead of historic Champions League final