Eni Aluko explains key reason Reds will beat Spurs in CL final – Guardian

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In a Guardian column, Juventus forward, Eniola Aluko, has forecast a Reds victory over Tottenham in the Champions League final owing to the strength and unrelenting pressure of our midfield.

“Liverpool just edge it thanks, in particular, to their greater experience in midfield,” she writes.

“A good example of the strength in depth they have there came when Georginio Wijnaldum sprang from the bench against Barcelona and scored two goals. Wijnaldum could not get into the starting team that day.

“And then they also have such players as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain available for selection.”

Pre-emptive of the fact that others might not see our midfield as being particularly offensive, Aluko claims that, in the middle of the park, the Reds actually have a unique brand of creativity.

“Liverpool’s midfield is the engine of their team, with players extremely capable of relentless pressure, winning the ball high up the pitch and releasing their front three, who are able to stay forward and create chances nearly every time they get the ball,” she claims.

“With a midfield that works that hard, and in effect provides assists through counter-pressure of the opposition, you do not necessarily need someone who can play penetrating passes like Kevin De Bruyne does for Manchester City.”

“So the midfield is not a weakness at all for Liverpool, just a different type of strength.”

Aluko’s logic that the Reds’ midfielders will be decisive is spot on.

Our midfield is the fulcrum around which Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson pivot down the flanks and which provides the platform for the front three to attack.

Philippe Coutinho’s exit was feared to be the end of a creative, midfield influence; in the end, it led to  the way being paved for a three-headed beast to take monstrous control in the centre.

Against Spurs, a likely trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum will be tasked with disrupting attacks, winning the ball back high, spraying balls out wide (and maybe even scoring).

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