A former England and Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, has told Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane, how he could stop Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah when both clubs clash in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Keown has told Zidane to deploy Croatian midfielder, Mateo Kovacic to stifle Salah in Saturday’s Champions League final.
He also warned Liverpool against underrating Zidane’s tactical know-how.
Real Madrid booked their place in their third Champions League final on the bounce by overcoming Bayern Munich in the last four.
And they’ll take on Liverpool in Kiev after Jurgen Klopp’s side overcame Roma 7-6 on aggregate, despite holding a five-goal lead at one stage of their tie.
Salah has been central to Liverpool’s promising campaign and on Saturday he will be eager to add to the 44 goals he has scored this season.
Keown has now offered his take on what Zidane may do in order to stop Salah and win his ninth trophy as a manager.
He told Daily Mail, “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.”
The former Arsenal man added, “Liverpool cannot change. Their boldness and braveness in attacking from the off is what has taken them to the final.
“What I’m fascinated to see is how they manage the game should they go 1-0 up.
“At half-time of the Europa League final in 2016, Liverpool went in against Sevilla with a one-goal lead.
“Liverpool ended up losing 3-1. They lost that final trying to win it.
“Game management will be crucial.”
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