Last dance approaches for imperious full-back duo

It isn’t why Liverpool’s last trip to Paris tends to be remembered, but it brought a minor slice of history for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

- RICHARD JOLLY

In the 21st century and indeed, since the heyday of Paolo Maldini and Mauro Tassotti, the men on the sides of perhaps the most famous back four of all – only two full-back partnerships have started three Champions League finals together.

No prizes for guessing that the Real Madrid double act of Dani Carvajal and Marcelo were the first. The Liverpool duo are the second, which would have felt utterly improbable even a year before they lined up against Carvajal and Marcelo in Kyiv in 2018. Rewind to 2017 and Robertson was being relegated with Hull, Alexander-Arnold a veteran of just two Premier League starts.

Fast forward a year and, in defeat to Real, Robertson was one of Liverpool’s finest players. A further year on, and it was Alexander-Arnold’s “genius moment”, to quote Jurgen Klopp on the night itself, that took Liverpool to Madrid. Not that Klopp himself saw it live: he had turned back to the bench, switching off with the entirety of the Barcelona team, as AlexanderArnold’s quickly taken corner was swept in by Divock Origi. The right-back later moved his executive box at Anfield to overlook that corner flag.

Paris, and the 2022 final, may hold less happy memories for the Merseysider. Vinicius Junior ghosted in behind him to score the only goal. A reason to join Real would be to escape such awkward nights against the Brazilian, his nemesis again when Liverpool exited the competition in 2023.