Monday 21 May 2018 16:28, UK
Liverpool are capable of overcoming holders Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final, as long as they manage to control their emotions, believes Xabi Alonso.
Real have won three of the last four finals, and travel to Kiev looking to win an unprecedented third successive Champions League.
In contrast, none of Liverpool's players have played in the final of Europe's top club competition, while manager Jurgen Klopp lost the 2013 final to Bayern Munich while in charge of Borussia Dortmund.
However, Alonso - who won the Champions League with both clubs - says Liverpool's lack of experience compared to their opponents can be overcome.
"They have to prepare for the game very well because Real Madrid have all the experience", Alonso told AFP.
"For all the Liverpool players it will be their first Champions League final. They have to deal with this emotional side which is almost as important as the football side.
"If they can get the right balance between the excitement and the motivation, that will be the right way to approach this final."
One of the reasons Alonso feels Liverpool have a chance of upsetting the odds is their free-scoring forward-line, with three of the Champions League's top four scorers this season belonging to the Premier League side.
Alonso explained: "Whenever they have space, Real need to control them.
"They are able to attack through the middle of the pitch, they can connect with short passes very well, they combine very well.
"They are definitely one of the biggest strengths of Liverpool at the moment."
