Liverpool's five strengths and five weaknesses for Champions League final Real Madrid Klopp will coach in his third European final on May 26

Real Madrid are aiming to win their third successive Champions League, yet Liverpool will be their opponents in Kiev and the Merseyside club certainly have both strengths and weaknesses which will show themselves on May 26.

The five strengths of Liverpool:

Klopp's heavy metal style

The former Borussia Dortmund coach has replicated his work in the Bundesliga by building a team in his image. Gegenpressing has become synonymous with the Reds, they work incredibly hard off the ball and then look to overload their opponents with direct football once in possession. In all competitions the team has scored 130 goals this season, 46 of those have come in the Champions League.

Virgil van Dijk has vastly improved their defence

Liverpool made the Dutch defender the most expensive centre-half in history when they signed him for 85 million euros in January, since that point he's settled and transformed the club's ailing defence. Prior to the winter, Liverpool's defensive resolve was essentially non-existent, however since van Dijk arrived the team has kept 10 clean sheets in 21 matches.

James Milner gives everything on the pitch

Despite not being a regular starter at the beginning of the campaign, James Milner has all of a sudden found himself to be a crucial part of Klopp's starting line-up. Obviously, he isn't the most naturally talented footballer in the squad, but his effort is commendable and makes a real difference to the Reds' fortunes. He can play in a multitude of positions and always does well, he's also broken the assist record in a single Champions League campaign this season and will be a guaranteed starter in Kiev.

Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are the perfect support act for Salah

Real Madrid will have faced very few teams like Liverpool this season. The Merseyside club just looks to throw players forward in attack and put teams under incredible pressure and these attacks can come from either side of the front three. All three have tremendous speed and can finish chances when presented with them. Both Salah and Firmino have scored 10 goals in the tournament to this point, but crucially, one also has nine assists. Los Blancos will need to be aware that danger could come from anywhere across the front line.

Mohamed Salah is a Ballon d'Or candidate

When asked, most people would have suggested that Neymar would indeed be the one to break the Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly of the Ballon d'Or award, yet it's Salah who is primed to do just that. At 25 years old he's enjoyed his most prolific season, scoring 31 Premier League goals and 43 in all competitions and if he can carry Liverpool to glory in the final, he'll certainly be the favourite.

The five weaknesses of Liverpool:

Loris Karius is error-prone

The debate of Liverpool's goalkeeping position has gone on for months, neither Simon Mignolet nor Karius have convinced, although the German has claimed the first-choice spot. Karius certainly is error-prone and this is something Los Blancos will hope they can take advantage of on May 26.

The team can be inconsistent

Whilst Klopp's charges have been sensational at times this season, they can also be equally as self-destructive. Defeating Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final showed them at their very best, yet just days later they would surrender a 2-0 lead at rock-bottom West Brom.

Philippe Coutinho needs to be replaced

When the decision was made to sanction the club's record sale in January, it was accepted that players already in the squad could step up and replace the Brazilian. Initially, this proved to be true with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stepping into a midfield position and excellent. However, a serious injury in the first leg of the semi-final will keep the former Arsenal midfielder out of the clash with Real Madrid and Klopp must find a creative midfield alternative.

Van Dijk aside, Liverpool's defence is far from convincing

Ahead of the Champions League final, it must be remembered that Liverpool conceded six goals over the course of their tie with the Giallorossi. That isn't the record of a stable defence, and there remain doubts of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Dejan Lovren, although the two full-backs have improved dramatically of late. The concern is that, if the team can't keep Roma out, how will they fare against Cristiano Ronaldo?

Options on the bench are sparse

There aren't any game changers on Liverpool's bench, in reserve against Roma they had Ragnar Klavan, Dominic Solanke, Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno, Danny Ings, Ben Woodburn and Simon Mignolet. This doesn't compare well against Gareth Bale and Casemiro. The former Borussia Dortmund coach is now sweating over the fitness of both Adam Lallana and Emre Can before the final, otherwise they will lack talent on the bench.