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They came close yet again and they fell short. The quadruple dream got dented when Manchester City won the league title after overturning their deficit against Aston Villa in 5 minutes. Liverpool started dreaming of the treble this time around and it was against the comeback king; Real Madrid.

I didn't expect that Liverpool wouldn't score in this game. I felt they would score first and Real Madrid would do it their usual way by leaving it late before overturning the deficit. This time around, with Mo Salah available, Liverpool succumbed to a solitary goal, thanks to Vinicius Jr's strike. Vini has come good for Real Madrid this season with his impressive partnership with the ageless Karim Benzema. They have both raked up the goals and assists and you couldn't ask much more from your attackers than that.

I expected Liverpool to have the first real chance and shot on target of the game and it was so. The brilliance of Alexander Arnold to beat his markers should be commended. He made sure he placed a low cross into the box and you want Salah behind those kinds of balls and he was. His smart flick was saved by Courtois who was hell-bent to impress against this Liverpool side.

There was this brilliant team playing from Liverpool every time they get on the ball. Thiago had a shot from distance, same with Mo Salah but Courtois dusted both attempts. The moment Mane wiggled his way inside the box, I started sensing trouble for Real Madrid. He struck the post instead after a brilliant effort. That was the moment Liverpool would have taken the lead in the 20th minute of the first half.

Real Madrid had their hearts in their mouths after VAR's lengthy review after Benzema slammed the ball into the net. The celebration was cut short after the linesman flagged offside but Real Madrid were hopeful the goal would stand. It was raised as offside much to the disappointment of Benzema. He has been in superb form throughout the season and notably in the Champions League. His goal didn't stand and Liverpool felt relieved to have watched that chalked off.

The long-awaited goal came and what a goal that must have been for Vinicius Jr after Valverde's effort into the box was scored by Vini's tap in. The stadium went into eruption, at least from the jerseys in white. It wasn't Salah's day and his bending effort was saved yet again by Courtois. Liverpool were looking for a way to at least give Real Madrid a run for their money but it wasn't to be. They did everything and Real Madrid did it their usual way - not at their best but they got it.

Another final heartbreak for Liverpool and they would feel hard done by after having the better chances in the game and they couldn't make it count. Courtois said he wasn't respected in England and he was extra gingered up for this game. It's not surprising he came with his A-game and stopped Liverpool with every chance he got. Seeing how they lost the final the last time, they lost another one this time around and they would feel like Manchester City all over again just for these moments, who always come short in the Champions League.

Congratulations to Real Madrid, they deserved the crown. They keep stretching the record and now they have it 14 times and counting. It's going to take a while for anyone to catch up with Real Madrid in this competition. The white flag flew and they have their name drafted on the trophy yet again. Liverpool were stopped with the brilliance of Courtois and duly deserving of the man of the match award.

Cheers.

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