An earlyMohamed Salah penalty and a late strike by Divock Origi gave Liverpool a 2-0win over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's all-English Champions League final astheir coach Juergen Klopp finally got his hands on Europe's biggest prize.
Egypt striker Salah, who had painful memories of last year's final defeat by Real Madrid after suffering a shoulder injury, got his side off to a flying start in Madrid by lashing home from the penalty spot after a handball from Moussa Sissoko.
Tottenham,playing in their first European Cup final, kept their heads and came to lifewhen semi-final hat-trick hero Lucas Moura came on but, with Harry Kane lackingsharpness after injury, another miraculous European comeback proved beyondthem.
Liverpool,who missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City by one point, didnot produce their usual whirlwind attacking game but sealed a sixth EuropeanCup triumph with an arrowed finish from substitute Origi in the 87th minute.
"Everyone ishappy now," said a delighted Salah. "I am glad to play the second final in arow and play 90 minutes finally. Everyone did his best today, no greatindividual performances, all the team was unbelievable."
Right-backTrent Alexander-Arnold added: "It is hard to put into words. The season we havehad, we deserved it more than any other team."
The win wassweet redemption for Salah and especially German coach Klopp, who had lost onhis last six appearances in major finals, including Champions League showpieceswith Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and Liverpool last year.
His oppositenumber Mauricio Pochettino took a bold but ultimately misguided gamble infielding Kane, who had only returned to full training a week ago after almosttwo months out with a serious ankle injury and struggled to influence play.
Kane was farfrom the only player who lacked sharpness in a game of few moments of realquality, a possible effect of both sides not playing any competitive games forthree weeks.
Spurs putLiverpool under real pressure in the latter stages as Dele Alli headed over andSon Heung-min and Moura forced impressive saves from Brazilian goalkeeperAlisson Becker.
Origi, one of Liverpool's heroes in their stunning semi-final second-leg turnaround against Barcelona, then killed the game with a ruthless finish into the bottom corner.
