Champions League final: The 10 most valuable Liverpool and Real Madrid stars

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 28 May 2022 10:18 BST
• 5 min read

Liverpool and Real Madrid will contest the Champions League final in Paris on Saturday, with many of the game’s leading stars taking part.

Both sides have had to build cleverly in the transfer market in recent years. Liverpool have done so out of choice, Real Madrid’s motivation to move away from their ‘Galactico’ policy has been driven by financial necessity. Nevertheless, both clubs will field star-studded teams at Stade de France.

Which players on display are worth the most? FootballTransfers reveals all, using our transfer values which are calculated by an algorithm that takes into account hundreds of in-game data points collated over months and years.

REVEALED: The world's most valuable players

10. Luis Diaz – Liverpool - €55m

Luis Diaz has only been at Liverpool for a matter of months, yet the Colombia international star already looks like one of the best pieces of business in recent years. Remarkably, it was interest from Tottenham that prompted the Reds to move early for the 25-year-old winger, with the initial plan having been to wait until the summer to capture him. However, this early transfer has proven to be highly beneficial for both parties. Look for Diaz’s value to continue to climb in the years ahead.

9. David Alaba – Real Madrid - €61m

It was a great piece of business from Real Madrid when they picked up David Alaba on a free transfer last summer, allowing them to sell Raphael Varane to Manchester United. The Austrian, at 29, is at the peak of his powers and his value is further inflated by a long contract with Los Blancos.

8. Alisson – Liverpool - €68m

Alisson has been a titanic presence in goal for Liverpool since arriving from Roma in 2017, rarely making errors and playing to a consistently high standard. Indeed, he is rated as the best sweeper keeper in the world and is perfect for the high-pressing style of play that Klopp likes to deploy.

7. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool - €71m

Uncertainty continues to dog the future of Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah, but his value to the side is underlined by the fact that he is still worth so much despite being a year from the end of his deal. He has been phenomenally consistent since he arrived from Roma in 2017 for a fee of €42m, which looks outrageously small now. Approaching 30, his value, however, has likely peaked.

6. Casemiro – Real Madrid - €72m

The tigerish central midfielder has turned 30 and has seen a slight drop in his valuation since he peaked above €80m earlier this season but remains a formidable competitor. Indeed, he is regarded as the best holding midfielder in the world and still has three years to run on his deal with the Bernabeu side.

5. Andrew Robertson – Liverpool - €72m

Liverpool’s ability to sign players cheaply and turn them into stars is perhaps best eptimoised by Scotland captain Andy Robertson, who was picked up for just €9m from Hull City in 2017 and has become arguably the best left-back in the world. At 28 years old and with four years left to run on his deal, the player rated as the second best wing-back in the world is at his peak.

4. Fabinho – Liverpool - €73m

Midfielder Fabinho has been quietly improving over the course of the season, with the former Real Madrid and Monaco man having been a steady performer since arriving at the club in 2018. Like Robertson, he is 28 and has four years left on his current contract, meaning that he is about at the peak of his worth.

3. Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid - €83m

The best goalkeeper in the world? Our algorithm believes so as it rates the 30-year-old above the likes of Alisson and Ederson to such an extent that he is the third most valuable player on display in the Champions League final. Of course, a long contract that runs until 2026 benefits his value.

2. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool - €93m

Right-back Alexander-Arnold is Liverpool’s most valuable player – and it’s easy to see why. Aside from the exciting attacking qualities that the England star possesses, he has everything going for him. He’s 23 and approaching his peak years, while he still has three seasons left on his contract – not that anyone expects him to leave Liverpool any time soon.

1. Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid - €113m

For a long period, it seemed that Vinicius Junior might not live up to the hype, yet this season he has exploded for his club, scoring 21 goals in all competitions and laying on 20 more. He has typically played a supporting role to Karim Benzema in the Champions League, offering seven assists in 12 games, yet he is maturing nicely.

Why is his value the highest in the Champions League final? He’s young, he’s an attacking player, he’s a Brazil international but, most importantly, he’s good. These additional factors, though, magnify his worth.