Liverpool found themselves in Group B with AC Milan, Porto and Atletico Madrid, where they dominated the group, winning all six games and leading the group by 11 points.
AC Milan troubled Liverpool slightly despite finishing last in the group, with the games ending 3 - 2 and 2 - 1 (in Liverpool’s favour).
The Reds have met Porto frequently in the last couple of Champions League campaigns, this time Liverpool prevailed both times, a 5 - 1 win at the Estadio do Dragao and a 2 - 0 win at Anfield.
Atletico Madrid have also been a frequent opponent for Liverpool in the Champions League but were beaten 3 - 2 at the Wanda Metropolitano and 2 - 0 at Anfield.
The Reds drew Serie A Champions Inter Milan in the Round of 16, travelling to the San Siro first. Goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool welcome Inter to Anfield with a 2 - 0 lead. The goal from Lautaro Martinez saw Inter Milan take a win in the second leg but it was not enough to stop Liverpool from progressing to the Quarter-finals.
Liverpool were matched up with Portuguese side Benfica for the Quarter-finals. Liverpool won the first leg at the Estadio do SL Benfica 3 - 1, with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz. Benfica were able to breach the Liverpool defence, with Darwin Nunez getting a goal. However, the deficit was too large for Benfica, who crashed out despite the entertaining 3 - 3 draw at Anfield.
The Semi-finals saw Liverpool paired up with Spanish side Villarreal. The first leg, this time at Anfield, was a straight-forward 2 - 0 win for The Reds, an Estupinan own goal and a Mane goal completing the scoresheet. Liverpool were stunned in the first half at the Estadio de la Ceramica, where Villarreal stormed to a 2 - 0 lead at half-time. But some second-half heroics from Fabinho, Diaz and Mane saw the tie end at a comfortable 5 - 2 on aggregate.
Real Madrid had a bit of a more challenging run to the Final. Their group consisted of Inter Milan, Sheriff and Shakhtar Donetsk, where Los Blancos won five of the six games, only losing once in a shock 2 - 1 defeat to Sheriff.
Madrid then faced PSG, who they beat 3 - 2 on aggregate after a Karim Benzema hattrick in the second leg. The Quarter-finals paired Madrid with holders Chelsea, where Benzema scored another hattrick, this time at Stamford Bridge.
The second leg was more challenging, with Chelsea leading 3 - 1 going into extra time, but another Benzema goal took Los Blancos to the Semi-finals. Manchester City posed a large challenge, especially after winning 4 - 3 at the Etihad, but more Benzema and Rodrygo heroics sent Madrid to the Final with a 6 - 5 aggregate win.
Despite Real Madrid’s excellence in the competition this season, Liverpool’s sheer dominance in their run to the Final could be a sign of their ability to go all the way. Jurgen Klopp and his men have shown the determination in all cup competitions this season and will be extra intent on finally getting revenge for the 2018 Final in Kyiv.