The purists will not be pleased, but yesterday’s match was a glimpse into the future of European football. Moscow next month will be the fourth successive Champions League final with an English club and continental sides will have to take note of, and perhaps adopt, the Barclays Premier League’s formula. They may not like it, but they cannot ignore it any more.

Simply put, it is tempo — the British mentality, with its love of athleticism, physical contests and pace, combined with the technique the foreign imports have brought. Barcelona play in slow motion by comparison. Even Arsenal, for all their flair, play at one of the highest tempos you will see.

There were plenty of individual errors in yesterday’s semi-final, including the one by John Arne Riise in the 95th minute, but that is mainly because of the tactics, not the level of talent. Whenever players are on top of each other, denying time and space, even the best footballers make mistakes.

Last night we saw teams with the same plan: force the opposition into errors. And the best way to do this is to close down instantly. Liverpool in particular hunted in packs without the ball. No wonder the game was played at a hundred miles an hour, a typical Premier League contest with added pressure and tension because of the stakes. There would be no place for Jan Molby in this Liverpool team — too slow and deliberate. I cannot remember a match with more quick free kicks, less time-wasting.

Dirk Kuyt’s goal summed up the game — quick and scrappy, flick-ons and errors. It came when Frank Lampard tried to take a touch to bring the ball under control, but lost possession. Not enough time for that in this atmosphere of get it and get rid.

Liverpool did not deserve Riise’s own goal. But think of the luck they have enjoyed in this competition. Perhaps they were due some misfortune.