Liverpool

Excited Liverpool fans out in Paris have been chatting to BBC Radio 5 Live throughout the day, here's what some of them have had to say about the final:

"We went to watch them in Kyiv, unfortunately with that result, so this time we're going to get our own back on Real Madrid. Mo [Salah] said it - he's going to get his revenge, it will come!"

"I think Mo Salah and Luis Diaz are going to shine - Salah has got something to prove. This is the big one, this is the one that Pep can't win."

"If we have a full midfield I think we'll win - if not I think it might be a bit nervy but if we have a full midfield in Thiago and Fabinho I think we'll do it comfortably."

Image source, PA Media

John Murray
BBC commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

These two clubs are incredibly well supported in the cities that they come from in Liverpool and Madrid but they also have this world base and people are coming from all over the world to watch this game.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

There is growing interest in Canada coach John Herdman.

The Englishman has guided Canada to the World Cup for the first time since 1986 but is having to navigate some pretty delicate political waters internally after the Canadian FA was forced to scrap next month's friendly with Iran due to widespread opposition in the country, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Herdman has already been looked at closely by clubs in England and now the 46-year-old, who comes from the north-east, is attracting admiring glances from Anderlecht and Standard Liege.

It seems unlikely Herdman will leave before the World Cup but after that, he could be tempted to move despite Canada co-hosting the 2026 tournament.

The plane carrying the Liverpool squad was given a traditional water salute by two fire engines as it prepared to fly to Paris.

Either that or a quick wash to make it more presentable.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund have made a success of signing young talent from the Premier League in recent years, will they do so again?

The Bundesliga have confirmed the signing of Jayden Braaf from Manchester City on a free transfer.

The 19-year-old Netherlands youth forward joined City from PSV Eindhoven in 2018 but never made a senior appearance for the club.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is close to joining Crystal Palace.

Johnstone is out of contract at West Brom at the end of the month and has already told the Baggies he will not be staying at the Championship club.

A number of clubs have been interested in the 29-year-old, with West Ham particularly keen last season.

However, it is understood Palace are now at the head of the queue, with Johnstone set to become Patrick Vieira's first signing of the summer.

More details here.

Image source, Getty Images

Make sure you pop in and say hello to Giulia and the rest of the Radio Merseyside team at Lush Bar in Paris.

The Lush Bar in Paris is the home of the Liverpool Supporters Club in France, the owner Ken spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live earlier:

"We started this about 15 years ago and there were probably six Liverpool supporters that came in to watch a game and that's what started it off and we've now got probably a thousand supporters in France. People come to the bar for the games and the privilege of being a Liverpool fan.

"We had probably 80 Liverpool fans in last night, two days before the game, today we're expecting a lot more. We're expecting probably 200 people outside the bar today trying to get in and we'll try to accommodate everybody.

"Tomorrow night we'll try and spread it out across the bars and point people in the right direction so that everyone can see the game, that's the most important thing.

"I was in Madrid and didn't have a ticket for the game so I know what it's like - I remember Liverpool fans scarpering to try and get in any bar they possibly could. I've probably responded to about 3000 emails trying to get people into different places in Paris!"

The hop across the channel is usually straight forward for travellers from the UK - but the journey has proven tricky for Liverpool fans heading to Paris for the Champions League final.

Reds fans are facing long queues at Dover as thousands of supporters descend on the Kent port to board ferries.

Some fans are complaining of "chaos" as they are stuck in hours long queues alongside families heading for half-term holidays.

The port advised people to "pack adequate supplies including food and water" as major delays were expected.

For the non-drivers among them I'm sure "adequate supplies" mean something else other than water.

More details here.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Jose Mourinho has been given the full Roman treatment after guiding Roma to Europa Conference League success against Feyenoord earlier this week.

Good news, Liverpool fans.

The Reds have confirmed Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho - who were both injury doubts - are included in the squad travelling to Paris.

Will they will be fit enough to start at the Stade de France? Liverpool say they "are set to come into contention to return".

To quote Alan Partridge: that sounds disconcertingly vague.

The Liverpool squad are on their way to Paris!

These are the scenes from Liverpool John Lennon airport a few moments ago - but they have an extra piece of luggage on their return flight? Maybe that's what Jordan Henderson's huge rucksack is for....

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

The Carraghers are on their way to Paris, with some snazzy souvenir t-shirts to boot.

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:

"Of course we lost Cristiano [ Ronaldo] who was a very good asset for us, scoring 40 or 50 goals every season. But Karim Benzema is in very good shape and Vinicius Junior has been a surprise, the way he has been playing recently and Rodrygo too.

"We have a very good midfield with Toni Kroos and Casemiro, the defence is also very strong and the goalkeeper too. I don't think it's weaker than the last time we met Liverpool in the final but Liverpool have improved a lot in the last three or four years.

"These matches are decided by small details and this will certainly be the case tomorrow night."

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:

"When Cristiano [Ronaldo] left Karim Benzema decided to be the leader, he has been that leader, scoring many goals, helping the team in defence and midfield. Nowadays he is a player that will always be remembered in our club."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:

"I think what we did in the last three ties gives us a lot of confidence. We deserve the trophy already because of those miracles - everyone in the world was amazed so for us confidence is very high.

"We can rely on our players, they have made good performances throughout the season. We also have won La Liga, 13 points ahead of Barcelona and we're in the Champions League final because we had a lot of good performances. We know that Liverpool are a very strong team so it's a fascinating match. It's the best game in the world right now."

Let's hear things from a Real Madrid perspective now with former club president Ramon Calderon, who spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live earlier this morning.

Fans in Paris couldn't resist a slightly cheeky flag...

Image source, Getty Images

Moving away from the Champions League final briefly and there have been a couple of managerial appointments in the EFL.

Newly promoted Forest Green Rovers have appointed Notts County boss Ian Burchnall as their new head coach.

Burchnall got his first taste as a manager working in Scandinavia's top tiers, first as assistant manager to former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane at Norwegian side Sarpsborg in 2012.

In 2017 he took over as manager at Viking FC, before replacing Graham Potter as boss of Swedish side Ostersunds FK a year later.

Meanwhile, Barrow have appointed Pete Wild as their new manager on a three-year deal.

Wild, 38, left his position as Halifax boss on Thursday, two days after they were beaten in the National League play-offs by Chesterfield.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

While those here in Paris for the tennis are largely concentrating on exactly that, we do know one player who already planned ahead with an eye on the Champions League final.

That’s 21-time men’s Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

Nadal, going for a record-extending 14th title at the French Open, is a Real Madrid super fan. Earlier this month he was at the Bernabéu to celebrate his team’s latest La Liga triumph.

Asked before Roland Garros if he was worried about a potential clash between one of his matches and the final, Nadal laughed: “I already have my tickets [for the football].”

Choosing when you want to play in the clay-court Grand Slam tournament is a privilege earned when you’re the King of Clay…

Image source, Getty Images