Champions League final predictions: Benzema can shine on grandest stage

In a repeat of the 2018 Champions League final, Liverpool will face Real Madrid to determine who will become kings of Europe.

Los Blancos won that meeting thanks to two astonishing goals from Gareth Bale but Jurgen Klopp's men are a different proposition these days with a European and Premier League crown under their belts. 

Real have proved their mettle in the knockout stages and will hope to pass one more examination against a formidable Liverpool side.

Benzema set to be the main man again 

Since Cristiano Ronaldo departed Real Madrid in 2018, Karim Benzema has been freed to be the focal point at Real Madrid and prove just what a devastating player he can be. 

When the Portuguese was at the Bernabeu, the striker had to provide support and be the right-hand man despite playing as a natural centre forward but now the whole team is built around his needs. 

It has led to an explosion of goals and he has particularly stood up and been counted in the Champions League. 

This season, he has scored 15 times in the competition. 

It has been the timing and stature of the goals that has been most impressive — he bagged a hat-trick to see Los Blancos come from 2-0 down to win the last 16 against PSG 3-2 on aggregate. 

Benzema hit another hat-trick in the quarter-final first-leg win at Chelsea before scoring the extra-time winner in the second leg. 

Then he struck another stoppage-time clincher in the semi against Manchester City after netting twice in the first leg and it seems improbable he will not play a part in the final. 

Salah to cap off majestic campaign 

Mohamed Salah has confirmed this week he will stay at Liverpool for next season and he will be seeking some revenge after going off injured in the 2018 final following a dubious challenge by Sergio Ramos. 

The Egyptian won the share of the Golden Boot in the Premier League despite missing a big chunk of the season while at the Africa Cup of Nations and has scored eight times in the Champions League this season. 

Salah has not found the net in the competition since the first leg of Liverpool's last-16 win against Inter Milan but his single-minded focus on getting one over on Real could propel him to score a big goal. 

Alexander-Arnold vs Vinicius could be key 

One of the key areas to look at will be the duel between Real's Brazilian wide man Vinicius Junior and Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. 

The latter's qualities going forward are what make him a unique prospect — few players in the world can cross and pass with as good a technique. 

However, the defensive aspect of his game is widely regarded to not be as strong and coming up against a winger as devastating on his day as Vinicius means he must sharpen up. 

Vinicius has six assists to his name in Europe this season with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes the only man to boast more. 

Meanwhile, two of Alexander-Arnold's five bookings have come in this season's Champions League and it is possible he could get cautioned again.