Liverpool clinch UEFA Champions League title

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Liverpool ended an incredible season by winning Europe's biggest prize after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in Saturday's all-English UEFA Champions League final, earning sweet redemption after agonizingly missing out on the Premier League title.

Mohamed Salah's second-minute penalty and a late Divock Origi goal sealed victory after Liverpool had survived some heavy late pressure from Spurs.

Tottenham, in their first European Cup final, kept their heads after the early setback and came to life when semi-final hat-trick hero Lucas Moura was brought on. But, with Harry Kane lacking sharpness, another European comeback was beyond them.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid, Spain, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Liverpool, who missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City by one point, did not produce their usual whirlwind attacking game but Salah's debatable penalty and Origi's arrowed finish sealed a sixth European Cup triumph.

"Everyone is happy now," said Salah as the Liverpool fans rejoiced. "I am glad to play the second final in a row and play 90 minutes finally. Everyone did his best today, no great individual performances, all the team was unbelievable."

His teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold added: "It is hard to put into words about the season we have had. We deserved it more than any other team."

Divock Origi (L) of Liverpool scores his sides' second goal during the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid, Spain, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

The win at the Wanda Metropolitano was sweet redemption for manager Jungen Klopp, who had suffered defeat in his last six major finals, including Champions League showpieces with Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and Liverpool last year.

"I am so happy for the boys all these people, and my family. They suffer for me, they deserve it more than anybody," said the elated German.

The big screen shows a tribute to Jose Antonio Reyes prior to the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid, Spain, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

A minute's silence was held for Jose Antonio Reyes before the Champions League final after the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain forward was killed in a car crash on June 1. Reyes was 35.

When the final whistle went, Alisson was mobbed by his teammates while Klopp ran on to the pitch to embrace Origi, one of the heroes in the stunning semifinal second-leg turnaround against Barcelona, who killed the game with a ruthless finish.

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk poses with his Man of the Match award after his side won the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid, Spain, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Dutch Virgil van Dijk, the defender of Liverpool, was named Man of the Match by the UEFA technical observers after the Champions League final.

"His calm permeated across the back line and no doubt played a huge role in yet another clean sheet," according to their official comments.

(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)