Between 2013 and 2018, we were blessed to observe the greatest club side in history dominate the European stage with arguably the best squad to ever grace the green turf. Winning four Champions Leagues in five years, and the last three in a row, we were witnessing history as their prolific reign as ‘Kings of Europe’ took the footballing world by storm. They were known for their relentless ability to grind out matches during Champions League campaigns, a winning mentality, an immensely strong core of leaders and, of course, the help of the greatest player of all time (CR7) to get them over the line in the most pressured situations. Last year their supremacy ended as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Ajax in the Round of 16.

Was it time for a new name at the top of European football…? Liverpool seized the opportunity and so began their journey of European glory. They had already shown signs of breaking through as the next leading prospect the previous year, when beaten by Real in the Champions League final. In the following campaign they narrowly missed out on domestic success, but produced one of the most memorable CL performances. They obliterated Barça in their semi-final second leg, to advance to the final in Madrid, where an all-English affair was staged for the first time in over a decade against Spurs. Winning a sixth CL title, they put their name at the top of the European pecking order. Can they now dominate in similar fashion to Los Blancos?

As a Real Madrid and Liverpool fan, I have followed their respective journeys meticulously, noticing striking similarities in their play styles, mentality, formations and traits.

The Royal Whites were extremely versatile, as multiple players were able to drop in or play a role for which they were not specifically known. Nacho, a centre back by trade, was often utilised across the whole back four if injuries were an issue. Likewise, Milner, known as a box-to-box midfielder, also plays at both left and right back. Further examples include Casemiro, a ball-winning defensive midfielder playing centre back, with Henderson doing a similar job at the back when required. This has been vital to the success of both clubs when fixtures mount up and squads become diminished.

Real and LFC mainly use the 4-3-3 formation, with attackers interchanging positions and being devastating on the break; fullbacks bombing down the flanks whipping dangerous balls into the box; and the midfield being hard-working and strong defensively, controlling the tempo and bossing the game. Both defences have great ball players, who are very mobile, physical, goal-scorers, utilising their pace in last-ditch challenges. It’s as if the Liverpool players have modelled themselves on the Real squad, with Klopp and Zidane implementing comparable team ethics. Van Dijk is the new Ramos; Alexander-Arnold/Robertson the new Marcelo/Carvajal; Henderson, Wijnaldum and Fabinho are Kroos, Modric and Casemiro; Firmino is uncannily like Benzema – unselfish, drops back to link midfield and attack, not the main source of goals and willing to run the ‘hard yards’; finally, Mané/Salah are Ronaldo/Bale.

Madrid and Liverpool have both heavily invested in many young future world prospects, an integral part of their success. For example, Real bought Marcelo £5.85m (https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/), Casemiro £6.30m and Varane £9m. All have been regular starters over the last five years, achieving legendary status among the Madridstas. Liverpool’s owners have adopted a similar template, buying Robertson £8.1m (https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/), Gomez £4.41m and Henderson £16.2m. These have reached their full potential with some exceeding beyond expectation.

Liverpool have an air of invincibility, winning and grinding out matches when not at their best. This is a trait of champions and of a side on another level mentally, on course to become the second team ever to be ‘Invincible’ in a Premier League season. Due to their relentless hunger, leadership and attention to detail, they have struck a ‘fear factor’ into opponents, one of the keys to their tournament success that has made them European ‘Top Dogs’. Los Merengues also had precisely these characteristics: result – half a decade of domination. The question now is, can Liverpool replicate the accomplishments of La Casa Blanca by continuing their supremacy? If so, squad depth must improve as promoting competition for places will ensure that they strive for further success.

References:

Player fees: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/

Often referred to as the ‘People’s Champion’, and the most charismatic champion since Ali, Tyson ‘2 Fast’ Fury has been on quite a journey over the last 5 years. From the dark depths of depression, suicidal thoughts and drug addiction, he has completely turned his life around in the space of about 12 months. They said he was finished, they said he’d never box again, instead, he’s proved his doubters wrong. After two and a half years of inactivity, the Gypsy King was forced to give up his World Heavyweight titles so famously won in Wladimir Klitschko’s back yard in Dusseldorf. Things went downhill dramatically from this point, when he told his family that same night that he wouldn’t box again. Having now completed his childhood dream, there seemed nothing left to live for. He was No. 1, the ‘baddest man on the planet’, but now he was waking every day, wanting it to be his last.

He was ready to ‘check out’.

One day, on the brink of driving his Ferrari into a bridge, something stopped him and said, ‘You can’t do this; you’ve got too much to live for, a wife and a young family who love you’. That was the moment the comeback trail really began. He sought medical help and started rehabilitation. He had a new challenge in his sights – to take over the division once again and secure a legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights ever. After a long road to recovery and fitness, he was more motivated than ever, clear of thought and ready to step into the squared circle once again. He had two ‘warm-up’ fights against low level opposition – more like celebrations of his return than actual competitive bouts – but he got the business done. He then called out Deontay the ‘Bum Dosser’ Wilder and famously dominated him in a thriller in LA. Somehow, after winning 10/12 rounds, the result was a hugely controversial draw with 99% of the boxing world in agreement that Tyson had won easily and completely outclassed the 6ft7 ‘Swinger’. The rematch was immediately deemed the obvious next bout to settle this long-lasting beef between the giants. Bob Arum and ESPN approached, offering Fury a 3-fight mega deal in America, giving him colossal attention. This was impossible to reject, with the idea that Fury would have two showcase fights, whilst giving the Wilder fight time to grow and become one of the biggest events in boxing history. Then with a potential third scrap, creating an era-defining trilogy, the ultimate goal. We agonisingly count down the days to this highly anticipated rematch.

While the ‘Furious One’ was recovering from the nasty cut acquired during his entertaining blood bath of a clash against Wallin, his need to fill his ‘free time’ became apparent. Competing in a WWE SmackDown brawl in Saudi, releasing his autobiography and a No. 1 single with Robbie Williams, all seemed to fill the void.

The Fury brand is thriving. He has become a global ambassador for mental health, as well as a worldwide sports star. Tyson is a natural showman who embraces the spotlight. He was once known as a controversial character and almost ‘bad boy’ of boxing, but that was just a strategy to propel himself into the public eye and get people talking. Having acquired a massive follower base, he can now show his true morals and values, whilst maintaining his witty, outspoken personality and self-belief. By tapping into various different industries, he is gathering admirers from multiple backgrounds, thus becoming a household name across the pond. The fact that he has already ‘cracked America’ is staggering. The last boxing crossover star from our shores to achieve such popularity was Lennox Lewis, and he was half-Canadian anyway. I believe that, when all is said and done, Tyson Fury’s legacy as a boxer will be that of a man with an undefeated record and one of the greatest heavyweights to have graced the sport. Moreover, as a global icon he will be held in similar vein to that of CR7, Jordan, Mayweather, Bolt and Nadal.

As another year of action-packed tennis is upon us, the players seem to get little downtime. Most have just finished the new ATP Cup tournament, which has come under scrutiny from some of the top players who had only recently competed in November’s Davis Cup Finals. Effectively two ‘World Cups’ in under 2 months – this seemed somewhat unnecessary. However, with the commencement of the Australian Open, the usual suspects are tipped to battle it out for the prestigious first slam of the year. But how are the ‘GOATS’ (Rafa, Roger & Novak) managing to sustain their long reign of dominance, thus preventing the ‘next generation’ from breaking through?

It’s safe to say these three have taken the sport to a new level in terms of their seemingly eternal consistency and longevity. But that’s only scratching the surface. The game has become more intense, rallies longer, flexibility integral; players hit the ball harder, serve faster and their attention to detail is remarkable. New technology, better nutrition and recovery methods allow players to prevent injuries occurring as frequently and also enable them to bounce back more quickly. We could go on… But when we talk about what really separates these guys from the ‘next generation’, it boils down to three key factors: unbelievable mental strength, relentless consistency and astonishing fitness levels. More to follow from me on this…