ON A wilting night in the Spanish capital, Liverpool won the European Cup for the sixth time to move ahead of Bayern Munich to stand behind only Real Madrid (13) and AC Milan (seven) in the pantheon of European club football.

In an ultimately disappointing final, the decisive moment came after only 21 seconds as Sadio Mane elicited a penalty by striking the ball against Moussa Sissoko’s upraised arm in the area. 

Despite a VAR review, the decision of referee Damir Skomina stood and Mo Salah, the player who limped away injured from last year’s final, struck his shot over the diving Hugo Lloris to give Liverpool a lead they never relinquished.

“I think, today, to concede after 20 or 30 seconds, through a penalty, it changed our plans completely. It had a massive impact on the team,” admitted Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino afterwards.

Despite playing the more fluent football thereafter, Spurs failed to register a shot on target in the remainder of the first half as the match spluttered without ever coming close to the heights of both teams’ dramatic semi-final victories. 

After repelling Tottenham’s best efforts in the second half, Liverpool scored from their only shot on target as substitute Divock Origi drilled home a second goal in the 87th minute after Spurs failed to clear a corner. 

“I think overall, I think we dominated the game,” Pochettino said. “We created good chances but they were more aggressive, clinical in front of goal, while we also created some chances but we didn’t score. 

“When that happens, it’s so painful. The final is about winning. It’s not about deserving it or playing well, it’s about winning, because no-one is going to remember that we maybe deserved it a little bit more.”

The Spurs manager defended his decision to start with Harry Kane after 53 days on the sidelines with an ankle injury. 

“For me, Harry Kane, after a month and a half, I think he finished the game fresh. He didn’t score, but neither did anyone else — that’s something else you talk too much about. I promise you, my decisions were very analytical. I considered all the information. I don’t regret my decisions.”

PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk was voted man of the match after snuffing out the threat of the England captain who he faces again on Thursday in the inaugural Nations League finals in Guimaraes. 

“I expected him to start. As England’s No 9, when he says he’s fit, I think he puts the manager in a difficult position not to put him in the team. 

“I think [in] the first half they didn’t create too many chances — big chances at least — and we did have a couple. Obviously scoring the penalty in the first minute helps a lot and gives us a boost. 

“But, it can also be very dangerous because you know, it’s mentally pretty tough in a final but we dug deep. In the second half they were good, they created chances and we made it difficult for them.”

Tottenham’s search for silverware will go into a 12th season but while failing to commit himself to the club in the long-term, Pochettino was full of pride at what they had achieved this season. 

“It would have been an historic moment had we won and lifted the trophy. It would have surprised everyone because in the last five years, Tottenham has been prioritising the construction of the new stadium and has spent nothing on players. 

“Of course, Tottenham isn’t the brightest student in the class, but we’re not the most stupid. But it’s incredible and this club deserves merit. With the foundations that it has, creating history and let’s hope it’s the start of a successful period for the club.”

After losing his last six major finals, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could not hide his delight at finally winning the Champions League at his third attempt.

“I feel mostly relieved, to be honest. Relieved for my family actually because they are pretty close to me, as you can imagine. And the last six times, we always flew on holiday with the silver medal, which doesn’t feel too cool.

“I know how Tottenham feel in this moment better than anybody else in the world. They played a sensational season as well, and they would’ve deserved it as well, obviously. But tonight, we scored the goals at the right moment.”

After winning 30 matches and 97 points in the Premier League this season proved insufficient to end their search for a first league title in 29 years, Klopp promised that Liverpool and Manchester City would be fighting it out again next season. 

“I spoke to Pep Guardiola on the phone because our head physio worked for Manchester City at the beginning of the season. We promised each other already that we would kick our butts next year again. So we will go for everything and see if we get something.”