Liverpool will need to overturn a 5-2 deficit against Real Madrid if they want to reach the Champions League quarter-finals at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men raced into a 2-0 lead in the first leg three weeks ago, but a remarkable turnaround saw Los Blancos score five consecutive goals without reply at Anfield.
⚽️🔛 🌱 #RMCity pic.twitter.com/xp0d5Yd7rL— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 13, 2023
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Can Real Madrid complete the job on home soil? Or will Liverpool produce another memorable Champions League comeback? It’s time to take a closer look at the teams.
Let’s start with the hosts, Real Madrid, who already have one foot in the last eight thanks to a ruthless performance at Anfield last month.
Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema both bagged a brace in the first leg, while Eder Militao completed the scoring for the Spanish giants.
Not only have Real Madrid won each of their last four Champions League home games, but they have also lost just one of their previous nine UCL clashes.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men head into the second leg on the back of a dominant 3-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga, putting them in an even stronger position to reach the quarter-finals.
As for Liverpool, they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth last time out, leaving them sixth in the Premier League table – six points outside the top four.
It is worth remembering, however, that Liverpool hammered Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield six days earlier, showcasing their attacking firepower.
The Reds can take confidence from the fact that they have lost just one of their past nine away matches in the Champions League, scoring on each occasion.
That said, Klopp’s side will have to score four goals without reply in order to book their place in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Head-to-head: Real Madrid are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run against Liverpool in the Champions League, with Los Blancos clinching six wins in that time.
On top of that, Real Madrid have scored over 2.5 goals in three of their past six victories over the Reds, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
Team news: The hosts will be without the injured David Alaba on Wednesday, while Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy are doubts for the second leg.
Liverpool’s list of injury absentees contains Luis Diaz, Joe Gomez, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Calvin Ramsey.
There is no hiding the fact that Liverpool have a mountain to climb in Madrid, so Los Blancos are expected to book their place in last eight on Wednesday.
Forebet predicts that Real Madrid will score over 2.5 goals on their way to securing another dominant victory over Liverpool.