While Zidane was able to turn to Bale and the exciting Marco Ascencio off the bench, Klopp was forced to throw on Adam Lallana, who only recently returned from injury and had made just three starts this season, when Salah, with 44 goals in all competitions, had to go off.

The lessons for Klopp are obvious. Liverpool need greater strength in depth and, as cruel as it is obvious to note, a new goalkeeper.

As wonderful and inspiring as their football has been in this campaign, the Merseysiders could also take a leaf out of Real’s book and seek a way to add a little more steel and discipline to their pounding pressing and thrilling attacking play.

Real may not be a team that charm the neutrals or raise the heartbeat but it is impossible not to respect a side which, as Klopp had noted before the game, have the efficiency and reliability of a Swiss watch.

They have not won four Champions Leagues in five years out of good fortune.

Real have winning in Europe in their DNA and no one in the modern game has been able to match their merciless ability, shown once again on Saturday, to take whatever opportunities are presented to them.

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