At long last, it's Champions League final day - can you feel the excitement?

Liverpool take on holders Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium, Kiev, in a game that's expected to feature plenty of goals and end-to-end action.

Both teams are lethal going forward - they've scored 70 goals combined in this season's tournament - yet questionable in defence, which is perfect for Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Salah and Ronaldo going head-to-head is the subplot of the Champions League final and there's a sense that the game will be decided by which of them turns up.

But for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, it's the fact Liverpool have even reached the final that's one of the biggest stories because it shows they're back amongst Europe's elite.

"I don't think we need that moment to ­restore it," the German said on Friday. "I think it's obvious we are back. That is absolutely [obvious].

"To qualify for a final, it shows that you are back. To win it? You need a little bit of luck and stuff like that is involved. But we are back. First and foremost.

THE BRINK OF HISTORY

"Even if you win, you cannot stop. If you lose, you cannot stop. I really like the way we are as a club, as a team."

Liverpool are on to something special under Klopp and it's no exaggeration that they're one or two players away from challenging on all fronts next season.

Naby Keita is already due to arrive this summer and it's expected that Klopp will use some of the £142 million made from Philippe Coutinho's sale in January to make further signings.

And according to AS, the Liverpool boss actually has his eye on one Real Madrid player who he's already tried to sign twice over the past 12 months: Marco Asensio.

Liverpool made €50 million and €100 million bids for the 22-year-old last summer and in January respectively but failed on both occasions.

But the Reds aren't giving up just yet and are now weighing up another move north of the €100 million mark this summer.

As if the Champions League final needed any more subplots, Klopp's interest in Asensio has just made the occasion that much more interesting.