FourFourTwo’s James Maw and Hunter Godson, football journalist Tony Evans, and his mate Tony are driving to the Champions League final in a motorhome. Here, they decide on the best 11 players from each side. You can follow their trip on Twitter and Instagram.
GK - Allison Becker (Liverpool)
No real debate with this one. Although World Cup winner Hugo Lloris has made some big saves in important games (see his penalty saves vs Arsenal and Man City), Allison has been part of the meanest defence in the Premier League. You’d certainly back the Brazilian to have a better Champions League final than his predecessor Loris Karius...
RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Alexander-Arnold is everything you could possibly want from a right-back. Quick, alert, defensively sound and, to top it all off, is one of the best crossers of the ball in the Premier League; if not the world. It was his quick thinking during a moment of calm against Barcelona that has got Liverpool here. Kieran Trippier, meanwhile, has had an error-laden season and has now been dropped by England.
CB - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
No explanation needed, but we’ll indulge you... The imperious Dutchman has transformed this Liverpool team and tightened up a defence known for shipping silly goals. Add in to that a terrific passing range, speed and a penchant for the odd goal and you might just have the perfect centre-back.
CB - Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham)
We’ve gone with ‘Super Jan’ not only because we’re sticklers for having one right-footed centre-back and one left-footed centre back (sorry, we’re not changing our ways now), but also because Vertonghen has enjoyed an excellent Champions League campaign. His stand-out performance came against Dortmund at Wembley, where he performed like a man possessed in his secondary role of left back.
LB - Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
The Scot is a bit like a hamster in his wheel - he runs for ages and seems to be having the time of his life in doing so. His delivery in the final third is consistently superb and his support down the left flank for Liverpool this season has been second to none. Sorry, Danny.
CDM - Fabinho (Liverpool)
After a slow start to life in England the imposing Brazilian has started to show why Liverpool put the money down for him. The midfielder is incredibly comfortable in possession and quick to snap into tackles. Now one of the first names on the team sheet for the Merseysiders, Fabinho ended the Premier League season with 1 goal, 2 assists, and 59 tackles.
CM - Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
Ask almost any Tottenham fan and they’ll tell you that the Dane hasn’t had a great season by his standards, and yet no player provided more assists across the league campaign. In the Champions League, the Dane popped up with late goal against Inter that kept Spurs alive in Group B when they had looked set to crash out.
CM - Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)
If you haven’t watched much of Sissoko this season you’d be forgiven for questioning the validity of his selection, but the Frenchman has been largely unplayable since the autumn. A man reborn, the roaming midfielder allowed himself to be moulded by Pochettino and it has paid dividends.
RW - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Last season was always going to be hard to recreate in terms of goalscoring but Mo Salah is much more than just goals. His direct running and exquisite footwork have caused many a defender trouble this season.
ST - Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Yes, this season has been another one fraught with injuries for old Harry but he’s still arguably the best striker in the world. Kane has managed 24 goals in all competitions this year but what he brings to this Spurs team is much more than just goal scoring prowess. He is the final piece in the puzzle; knitting attacks together and pulling defenders all over the place. If you think Tottenham are better without him, think again.
LW - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
What a year it has been for the Senegalese winger. 22 goals in the Premier League and 4 in the Champions League are just reward for a player who works tirelessly for his team and manager.
The Gaffer
N/A - We couldn’t decide/ didn’t want to have a fist fight.
With thanks to Baileys of Bristol for supplying the motorhome to make this trip possible.
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