Liverpool and Real Madrid players test Stade de France pitch during training - in pictures

Champions League final to be played on fresh surface in Paris on Saturday

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, right, and Roberto Firmino during a training session at the Stade de France on Friday, May 27, 2022, ahead of the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris. AP

Sadio Mane of Liverpool during Liverpool's training session at Stade de France in Paris. Getty

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, second from left, speaks to players during a training session at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday. AP

Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah during a training session at the Stade de France. AFP

Liverpool's English striker Harvey Elliott attends a training session at the Stade de France on the eve of their Champions League final against Real Madrid. AFP

Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain controls the ball during a training session at the Stade de France. AP

Liverpool goalkeepers Alisson Becker, right, and Adrian during training in Paris. EPA

Sadio Mane during training on Friday. Reuters

Liverpool's Sadio Mane, Fabinho and Naby Keita during training. Reuters

Mohamed Salah, left, James Milner and Joel Matip train in Paris. AFP

Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Nathaniel Phillips train at the Stade de France. AFP

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, right, and Eder Militao train at the Stade de France. AP

Karim Benzema and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois take part in a training session. AFP

Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, with Marcelo during training. AP

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr at the Stade de France. AFP

Real Madrid players during a training session at Stade de France. Getty

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale during a training session at the Stade de France. PA

Real Madrid's forward Vinicius Jr fights for the ball with Casemiro during training. AFP

Vinicius Jr controls the ball during a training session at the Stade de France. AFP

Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Gareth Bale train on Friday. PA

Gareth Bale speaks to Peter Crouch during the Real Madrid's training session. Getty

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale during training with Ferland Mendy. AFP

Liverpool and Real Madrid players were extra attentive during training at the Stade de France ahead of their Champions League final on Saturday, with the newly-laid surface in the spotlight.

The Reds take on the Spanish giants in the title showdown on a pitch that was dropped in just two days prior, a development that has been met with scepticism.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has questioned the wisdom of dropping a new surface so close to the match and also expressed his concerns over the quality of the surface.

"Usually when I say the pitch looks new, that is good news. This pitch is new since yesterday, which is not the best news - but it will be the same for both teams," Klopp said on Friday.

"I saw the refs with their session and the good news is, the ball drops normal. You can see the lines where they put the pieces of the pitch [together], which is what we aren't used to.

"That someone thought it was a good idea to bring the pitch the day before to the stadium is an interesting idea. But it didn't kill my mood a per cent. I am really happy we are here, I would have played the game on petanque."

Uefa confirmed a new pitch had been laid. The Press Association reported that France will play two Nations League games against Denmark and Croatia before June 13, ahead of the surface being ripped up again after the Top 14 rugby final at the end of the month.

"I think both teams are technical teams and you would wish - in a dream world - that the pitch is the best you ever saw in your life," added Klopp.

"That's obviously not the case. You will hear the same from [Real Madrid boss] Carlo [Ancelotti]. Definitely, if you win you don't care about the pitch, that is easy to say. I don't know how bad or good it is, I only saw it. Maybe it's perfect but it looks not perfect."

Meanwhile, Klopp revealed Liverpool midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho are fit and ready to play on Saturday.

Thiago was substituted with a muscle issue in the first half of Sunday's final Premier League game against the Wolves and Fabinho has not played since hobbling off with a hamstring tweak during the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on May 10.

Real Madrid, who are chasing a record-extending 14th European title, have an incredible record in European finals, having won all of their last seven. Manager Ancelotti, who has made history as the only manager to reach a fifth Champions League final, said he has confidence in his players.

"This year feels like a long time, it gives me vertigo thinking about being in this final," Ancelotti said on Friday.

"But I take it in my stride because it's a success for us. We know the history of this club and to get here is very important, it has been a very good season for us.

"We are very close to achieving the maximum and we will try. This team manages these types of games well. The veterans help the youngsters to play in an atmosphere of calm, enthusiasm and confidence."