Champions League final: FIFA 19 predicts Liverpool vs. Tottenham

Peter Hanson

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Champions League final: FIFA 19 predicts Liverpool vs. Tottenham image

Predicting the outcome of Saturday's tantalizing all-English Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool is no easy feat.

The Reds agonizingly missed out on the Premier League title by a solitary point to Manchester City and, having lost in the showpiece of Europe's premier club competition to Real Madrid 12 months ago, you could argue Jurgen Klopp's side has the edge.

However, on the flip side, the stars have aligned for Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino's men escaped from the group stages despite gaining only one point from their first three games, survived a last-gasp VAR review against City in the quarters and then eliminated Ajax with an injury-time goal from Lucas Moura.

So, if recent form is not making it any easier to pick a winner, we at Omnisport decided to ask for a little help from the in-depth world of FIFA 19.

Setting up a CPU vs. CPU Tottenham vs. Liverpool scenario, we let the video game decide the outcome in Madrid for us! Take a look at how things transpired below...

THE TEAMS:

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Hugo Lloris; Kieran Tripper, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose; Moussa Sissoko, Victor Wanyama, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min; Harry Kane.

Subs: Paulo Gazzaniga, Ben Davies, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura, Fernando Llorente.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino.

Subs: Simon Mignolet, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, James Milner, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri.

FIRST HALF

The teams made their way out onto the pitch to a rousing reception at the Wanda Metropolitano...

Tottenham was on the front foot early doors and Dele Alli went close with this near-post header...

Liverpool quickly grew into the game and virtual Sadio Mane proved just as effective as the real version when brilliantly heading home Mohamed Salah's teasing cross after 20 minutes...

But the Reds were quickly caught cold. Alli's dummy run from a corner left Liverpool's defense confused and Jan Vertonghen powered home Christian Eriksen's center!

SECOND HALF

The teams remained level until the break, but Spurs' computer-generated supporters were soon celebrating wildly after this long-range thunderbolt from Alli!

But, just like the real Liverpool, Klopp's side threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Spurs, leading to this well-taken equalizer from Salah.

EXTRA TIME

That goal took the match into extra time and, after a nervy opening additional period, Fabinho -- of all people -- had ice running through his veins with this cool finish in the closing moments!

A desperate Spurs pushed forward in search of an equalizer that would force a dramatic penalty shootout … but Harry Kane's header failed to find a way past Alisson.

Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy and Liverpool was left celebrating Champions League glory after a 3-2 thriller!

So, there we have it. FIFA 19 reckons we're in for a back-and-forth match in Madrid! Now it's over to the real Tottenham and Liverpool to do battle for real…

Peter Hanson