After one of the most remarkable European Cups in recent memory, Goal picks out the top performers from this year's competition
Getty ImagesAlisson
What a difference a great goalkeeper makes!
This time last year, Liverpool were left counting the cost of Loris Karius' calamitous errors in their Champions League final showdown with Real Madrid. Now, they are heralding Alisson as the best goalkeeper in the world after the Brazilian helped them claim a sixth European Cup.
Nobody made more saves than the Selecao No.1 in this season's tournament (46), he racked up the most recoveries (119), while his save percentage was better than any other shot-stopper to have made the knockout stage (79).
It's fair to say that the £56 million ($71m) Liverpool paid Roma for Alisson last summer was money well spent.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTrent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold may have been reluctant to accept any plaudits for the moment of inspiration that eliminated Barcelona in the semi-finals but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp didn't hold back when it came to the quickly-taken corner which caught the Catalans napping at Anfield: "Oh my God, genius!"
Of course, we shouldn't have been surprised by Alexander-Arnold's deadly delivery. This, after all, is the man who this season broke the Premier League assists record for a defender (12).
The 20-year-old hometown hero has been just as impressive in the Champions League.
Alexander-Arnold's ranked second for successful crosses (22) and third for chances created (22) among defenders but it's also worth pointing out that he finished fifth for interceptions (18) and second for recoveries (78), only further emphasising his all-round excellence and perceptive reading of the game.
GettyVirgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool £75m ($95m) yet that record-breaking fee for a defender is now looking like one of the best deals in the club's long and illustrious history.
Since his arrival at Anfield in January 2018, the Reds have reached back-to-back Champions League finals, primarily due to the way in which the Dutch centre-half has completely transformed Jurgen Klopp's backline.
Liverpool may have struggled on the road during the group stage, while Van Dijk had a rare off night against Barcelona at Camp Nou, but he has been colossal for the most part, even chipping with a couple of goals, the first of which was the killer second goal in the away win at Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Olaf KraakMatthijs de Ligt
"It's a dream getting crushed," Matthijs de Ligt admitted after Ajax's semi-final elimination against Tottenham. "I would have loved to play the final, but it's not happening."
It may not have happened this year but, if the 19-year-old defender's performances in this season's tournament are anything to go by, it's only a matter of time before De Ligt realises his dream.
The youngest captain in Ajax's history led his side to the last four with grace, grit and no end of inspiration, typified by the towering header which saw the Dutch champions knock out Juventus in their own backyard in Turin.
De Ligt ranked second among defenders for recoveries, aerials won and possession won and whomever manages to sign him this summer will be acquiring one of the best centre-halves in the world.