Michael Owen on Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: 'It is a toss of the coin'

Rudi Schuller

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Michael Owen on Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: 'It is a toss of the coin' image

Michael Owen has played for both Champions League finalists, and the former striker's experience with both Liverpool and Real Madrid gives him a unique perspective ahead of the weekend's huge contest.

Despite having suited up for both sides, the 38-year-old says he has no idea how the game's going to unfold when the ball is kicked in Kiev.

"I find it really hard to predict," Owen told Dubai Eye 103.8. "I know people will have Real Madrid down as the favourites, but I think it is a toss of a coin. I just think Liverpool are so perfectly shaped for knockout football, for one-off football, and particularly against good teams."

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There's no doubt that Madrid is a good team, with the Spanish giant being the most successful club in the history of the Champions League and its predecessor. It's because of Madrid's quality that Owen said Liverpool will have a shot on Saturday.

"You know what's coming from Liverpool," Owen explained. "They're gonna have loads of energy, they're gonna close down high, they're gonna try to press and they're gonna try to win the ball back high and, obviously, score. I think the better the team that Liverpool play against the better they play, and that's why I give them a chance."

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Liverpool's uptempo style will certainly be a challenge for Zinedine Zidane's men, but Owen noted that Madrid should still be considered the Goliath of the match-up.

He says he even chose Madrid as his early-season pick to win it all.

"Even when they were going through a rocky period at the start of the season, I said at the time they'll win the Champions League," Owen recalled. "They are the masters of winning. They understand how to win. They've got the players that just come alive or just know how to do it when they need to do it. They've just got that experience."

It'll be Liverpool's energy versus Real Madrid's guile according to Owen, but as the former England international says, only time will tell which team will come out on top.

Watch the interview below:

Rudi Schuller