Paul Merson thinks Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate would be “better equipped” than Joel Matip to start against Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

This year's final came four years after Liverpool fell 3-1 in Kyiv to Real Madrid.

Merson thinks “the team that scores first will win” on Saturday night. He also believes that Liverpool “have what it takes” to win 2-1:

“I believe Ibrahima Konate will get the nod as he’s better equipped to deal with Benzema and Vinicius due to his pace and strength,” Merson told Sportskeeda.

“Joel Matip is a fantastic player in his own right and is arguably the best at playing out from the back among the Liverpool center-backs, but stylistically, Konate is a better fit for this game.