BBC pundit Martin Keown has highlighted Marcelo as Real Madrid’s weak link in the Champions League final, saying that Mohamed Salah could exploit space in behind the Brazilian.
Liverpool meet the two-time defending champions in Kiev on Saturday as they gun for their sixth European Cup success and first major trophy under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Keown has now identified Madrid mainstay Marcelo and his attacking instincts as a potential weak spot for perennial contenders Real, and said Salah should be ready to capitalise on Saturday.
In his Tackle Keown column for the Daily Mail, he said: “Marcelo will be up against Mohamed Salah and while I don’t think that will curb the wing back’s attacking instincts, it could give the Liverpool forward space to exploit.
“Zinedine Zidane will be well aware of what Salah is capable of. We must not underestimate his tactical knowledge. In the second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, he started Mateo Kovacic ahead of Toni Kroos to create a more rigid, defensive midfield.
“Zidane is not a manager who is afraid to make changes.”
OPINION
Marcelo seems to be the Madrid player that most believe will be the weak link for the defending champions. Liverpool boss Klopp has even reportedly claimed the Brazilian does not defend, and that could indeed be a way in for the Liverpool attack. The presence of Salah on that flank will help the Reds to expose Marcelo if he does leave space in behind, but we must not forget how good the Real flyer actually is. In truth, Marcelo has been one of the world’s best left-backs for many years now, and he will not be an easy customer for Salah to deal with. The Egyptian will have to do his fair share of tracking back to deal with Marcelo’s attacking instincts, and that is something that seems to have slowly crept out of his game as the season has gone on. If he fails to do so, then Liverpool may be in trouble, with the inexperienced Trent Alexander-Arnold in behind him.
