Michael Owen on ‘distinctive’ Liverpool followers, Jurgen Klopp & Mohamed Salah vs Karim Benzema

The largest recreation of the season between the 2 greatest groups.

Liverpool vs Actual Madrid.

The UEFA Champions League last.

The ultimate each impartial needed.

And forward of what guarantees to be an distinctive recreation of soccer on Saturday on the Stade de France, we at 90min sat down with Michael Owen to debate his two former golf equipment.

Who’s the larger membership and why?

“I will say Actual Madrid.

“Each groups have gotten phenomenal help world wide. I feel Actual Madrid, being within the capital metropolis, being simply such an iconic place, 13 instances champions of Europe. Their European pedigree, as a lot as Liverpool’s is totally astounding, Actual Madrid’s is out by itself.

“The league titles, the gamers who’ve performed there, the attain that they have world wide…after all I am saying these items and Liverpool have gotten all of them as effectively…however I simply assume that, on steadiness, Actual Madrid – in all probability primarily based on the European cups that they’ve gained over time – are arguably the largest soccer membership on this planet.”

Which membership has one of the best followers?

“Properly I will pull one again right here for Liverpool, I feel Liverpool have gotten one of the best followers.

“They’re famend throughout Europe after all, notably their away followers. It is one thing that is fairly particular and fairly distinctive. I performed for Actual Madrid and everytime you play away from dwelling there isn’t any away help in Spain.

“I feel by way of followers who observe their workforce dwelling and away, by means of thick and skinny, and to each nook of the globe, I feel Liverpool followers are positively taking this one.”

Anfield or the Santiago Bernabeu?

“I feel the Bernabeu is a greater stadium, it holds extra folks, it is undergone an unbelievable redevelopment in current instances.

“When it comes to ambiance although there’s presumably nowhere higher than Anfield, particularly to play on a European evening.

“So…in the event you’re saying greatest stadium then it is the Bernabeu.”

Which stadium would you worry going to as a participant?

“I feel, by way of different gamers, you’d worry going to Anfield greater than most stadiums on this planet.

“We have seen that over the previous few years specifically, and again within the heady days of some nice groups of the previous that Liverpool have had. European nights at Anfield are one thing totally different to just about each different place. The ambiance, the historical past, you are feeling all of it if you go to Anfield so I feel it is extra of a fortress than the Bernabeu.”

Who has the higher squad?

“Liverpool presently have the higher squad.

“As a lot as it is not a one-sided affair this last, I actually do imagine that Liverpool are the higher workforce. They arrive into it with nice current kind, so I feel Liverpool come into this recreation in actually fine condition and I feel they’re the higher workforce.”

Who’s the extra engaging membership to signal for?

“Proper now, Liverpool are in all probability essentially the most engaging membership on this planet to signal for. They’re very profitable in Europe and profitable domestically. And okay, they’ve solely gained one league lately however they’ve at all times been aggressive.

“Some golf equipment will at all times have that draw and when Actual Madrid are available in you assume ‘wow’. Has anyone ever stated no to Actual Madrid? They’re simply essentially the most iconic membership.

“Some badges simply symbolize all the things soccer is about, however I feel on steadiness in the mean time, in the event you’re a free agent and Jurgen Klopp comes knocking in your door, you would be very, very arduous pushed to withstand.”

Benzema or Salah?

“That is so powerful…

“I feel they each actually swimsuit their groups very effectively…I do not know…Benzema this yr has simply been sensational, in all probability forward of Salah…

“I feel Benzema is a extra gifted participant technically, you realize his contact is healthier, he is a purer footballer. However Salah’s outcomes are fairly gorgeous over the previous few years.

“For the previous few years I might’ve stated Salah however only for this season I would in all probability say Benzema.”

Ancelotti or Klopp?

“If I used to be a participant now, I would need to play for Jurgen Klopp forward of Carlo Ancelotti.

“His enthusiasm, his love for his gamers, for the followers, the best way he is embraced the town, it feels such as you’d go into the coaching floor on a regular basis and simply be enthused by the entire ambiance. He creates an actual successful mentality.

“Straight from the off he was only a breath of recent air and he is completely idolised on Merseyside, and you’ll clearly perceive why.”