Liverpool trio feature but no Tottenham in Champions League knockout XI

While Liverpool ensured they went one better than last season to lift their sixth European Cup the Reds weren’t the only team to boast some star performers over the latter stages of the Champions League. Jurgen Klopp’s side are one of six represented in our team of the knockout phase.

GK: Alisson (Liverpool) -  7.20

Earning the WhoScored.com man of the match award in the final, the eight saves Alisson produced in Madrid ensured the Brazilian made more than any other goalkeeper in the tournament. His efforts also ensured that the Reds stopper kept a clean sheet against all four of his knockout stage opponents.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.40

Having also played his part in the four clean sheets that Liverpool kept in seven knockout stage matches, it was Alexander-Arnold’s efforts at the opposite end that really stood out. All three of the youngster’s Champions League assists came from the quarter-finals onwards.

CB: Gerard Pique (Barcelona) - 7.28

Having helped Barcelona to four clean sheets in six knockout stage matches, as well as scoring in the 5-1 win over Lyon, Pique was in fine form. The Spaniard produced 21 tackles and interceptions combined across said games, completing over 90 per cent of his passes in four.

CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - 7.46

After a relatively underwhelming group stage campaign by his standards Van Dijk seemed to improve as the tournament wore on and the games became more important. The Dutchman helped the Reds keep four clean sheets and scored in away wins at Bayern Munich and Porto, registering a further assist against the former.

LB: Alex Telles (Porto) - 7.07

The match-winning hero as Porto knocked out Roma in extra time in the round of 16, Telles went on to register his third assist of the tournament in the defeat against Liverpool. The Brazilian created 11 chances across four knockout stage appearances along with seven tackles and interceptions apiece.

RW: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 8.69

Continuing his record of scoring against every side he faced in the Champions League over the course of the season, Messi netted twice in home meetings with Lyon, Manchester United and Liverpool. Over his six knockout stage appearances the Argentine had 33 shots, created 15 chances and completed 29 dribbles.

CM: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) - 8.42

He may have only started three of City’s four knockout stage matches but Silva shone brightest for Pep Guardiola’s side in that time. The Portuguese followed a goal and assist at Schalke - completing 95.8 per cent of his passes against the Germans - with his fourth goal of the tournament in the 4-3 win over Tottenham, completing nine dribbles across his three appearances.

CM: Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) - 7.95

Having failed to score from 25 shots in the group stages Ziyech scored in both legs as Ajax dumped out the former champions Real Madrid and added his third of tournament against Tottenham. He also registered an assist in victory over latter as well as in the 2-1 win over Juventus, mustering 31 shots, creating 15 chances and completing 16 dribbles in six knockout stage appearances.

LW: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 8.23

One of just two City outfielders to start all ten of their Champions League matches, four of Sterling’s five goals came in his four outings in the knockout stage. Denied a hat-trick by VAR against Tottenham, the winger scored in both victories against Schalke as well as registering an assist in the thumping 7-0 win.

CF: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 7.75

Having started just two of a possible six group stage matches, Ageuro did so in all four of Manchester City’s knockout matches, scoring four goals. The Argentine had 18 shots across said games against Schalke and Tottenham, completing six dribbles and misplacing just 11 passes.

CF: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 8.06

With five goals across four knockout stage matches, including a decisive hat-trick as Juventus recovered a two-goal first leg deficit against Atletico, Ronaldo certainly played his part in a quest for a fourth consecutive winners medal. Ajax ensured that wasn’t to be but the Portuguese had 20 shots and completed 15 dribbles as Juve exited at the quarter-final stage.