Xabi Alonso, who won the Champions League with both Liverpool and Real Madrid, said: "I think that to win, Liverpool will have to play an almost perfect match and will have to prepare everything in every detail, analysing all the strengths and weaknesses of Madrid and how to tackle them.

"I don't think Madrid will change the way they play for Liverpool. I think they've had a very specific way of playing in recent years, and the players know how to orchestrate it very well. In fact, it's in the big games that they're the best, and I'm sure we'll see a great Real Madrid in the final."

Max Regan: Here in Monaco cheering Lewis Hamilton on. Watching Liverpool hopefully win the CL, what a double that will be.

Image source, Max Regan

Real Madrid
Real Madrid

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said forward Cristiano Ronaldo will have the "most possible" influence in the final as the Portugal international "is the best so it will be the maximum".

Ronaldo scored twice in last year's 4-1 victory final over Juventus, netted the winning penalty in the shootout against rivals Atletico Madrid the year before and scored in extra-time against the same opponents in 2014.

"We can make history if we win three Champions Leagues in a row, but we're not looking at it like that," said Ronaldo.

"I am keeping the faith, I feel good about it. These finals are always special occasions. We need to respect Liverpool. They deserve their place in the final.

"They remind me of the Real Madrid of days gone by, with fast, pacey forwards. I think we are better, but of course you always have to respect your rivals."

This is Cristiano Ronalo's sixth European Cup final. Only Paolo Maldini (8), Paco Gento (8) and Alfredo di Stefano (7) have played in more.

Some Ukrainians opened their homes to Liverpool fans after being embarrassed about the cost of accommodation in Kiev...

Liverpool’s starting XI is the youngest (26 years 170 days) in a Champions League final since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund in 2013 (25y 255d).

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Kiev

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is out warming up in front of their fans and this is a big night for the young German.

Klopp has placed huge faith in Karius after bringing him from his former club Mainz in Germany and finally making him first choice ahead of Simon Mignolet.

He had his uncertain moments in both legs of the semi-final against Roma and he will be tested again tonight - but Klopp is convinced by his growing maturity.

Justin: With my mate at a German bar in Singapore. We are red!

Image source, @jlinjt

Raphael Honigstein
European football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

The biggest problem that Liverpool have is there is no Team B. There is very little they can do to change the flow halfway through the game if they’re not on top.

Real Madrid are the exact opposite. They have Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio in reserve. It’s a bit frightening.

Liverpool might be relaxed now but they won’t be able to relax in the game unless they’re a few goals ahead. They need to score a lot of goals before thinking Real can’t come back.

Fulham have been promoted to the Premier League, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Get reaction to that game here.

Julius: I'm watching alone from home in Monrovia, Liberia. I wanna hear every word of the commentary. Though a Chelsea fan, English solidarity all the way! Go Liverpool!!!

Anon: Watching it in Gothenburg, Sweden where there is a massive Liverpool fan base and they are in fine voice!

Spanish football writer Guillem Balague caught up with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp in Marbella last week.

"It isn't about bonding, because we are already bonded as a team," Klopp told him.

"It isn't even about the weather because we have that in England at the moment. But we need a moment together to concentrate our minds and our forces."

Read more here.

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 live

For Liverpool, the message Klopp is sending is it is just another, game. Whatever happens the project will not deviate on centimetre. It is part of the process and journey. They are certainly heading to bigger pastures it seems.

Image source, .

This was the scene last night for the BBC Radio 5 live preview show. Good luck getting that picture of Lawro smiling out of your head.

Amanda O'Shaughnessy‏: Ready in Ontario, Canada

Image source, Amanda O'Shaughnessy‏

Mark Lawrenson
BBC Sport football expert

Lawro's prediction: Liverpool to win 2-1 AET

Real are definitely favourites but I still think Liverpool will find a way to come out on top.

That is basically what they have done to get to the final, as well as score a vast number of goals.

From the quarter-final against Manchester City onwards, it has seemed like there is someone up there looking after them, because of the amount of big decisions that were wrong and went in their favour.

I have been on cup runs where something similar has happened and it gave us a huge amount of belief.

Read more

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in Kiev

Image source, .

Two of the unlikeliest shirts on display - family surely?!

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy can't seem to decide which team he wants to win today...

Dennis: Gareth Bale dropped to the bench, how unclucky can this guy be?!

Mukhtar: Benzema over Bale is probably playing to Ronaldo's strength; since - IMO - he seems to play better with Benzema.