Manchester United legend Roy Keane has tipped Real Madrid to beat Liverpool in next months Champions League final, saying they are ‘pure quality’.
Liverpool edged through to next months showpiece finale in Kiev with a 7-6 aggregate victory over Roma on Wednesday night, but the Reds were made to sweat after a late comeback from the Italians.
While many have noted Liverpool’s defensive improvement in recent months, their frailties at the back returned in the Italian capital, conceding four goals, including two in the last few minutes.
The former Man Utd and Republic of Ireland hardman said he expected Real Madrid to try to exploit Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses, just as Roma had done.
“I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen,” he told ITV’s Champions League highlights programme.
“Obviously it’s slightly different as it’s not over the two legs and there’s different mentalities.
“We could look at Real Madrid tonight and pick holes in them, but they’ll be doing exactly the same with Liverpool.
“Look at Liverpool, the young right-back (Trent Alexander-Arnold) had a nightmare, the goalkeeper (Loris Karius) was poor. So Real Madrid will be rubbing their hands as much as Liverpool will be that’s why it’s such an intriguing game.
“The one word I use for Real Madrid and always fall back on is quality. They still have pure quality in their squad and that’s why I fancy them as slight favourites in the final.
“When you win a football match there’s a great satisfaction when you play well, but to me it’s just as good when you play badly and get a result and that’s what Real Madrid did against Bayern Munich in their semi-final.”
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