Real Madrid face Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow evening in the Champions League. With the rematch of the 2018 and 2022 finals just hours away, Reds captain Virgil Van Dijk was quick to share his frustration at their disappointing record against the club from the Spanish capital.
In recent Champions League history, Real Madrid have been Liverpool’s Champions League tormentors. Thanks to their golden generation, the Casa Blanca club smothered the Reds in the 2018 final thanks to a sensational brace from Gareth Bale and an unlikely goal from Karim Benzema, who took advantage of a blunder by Karius, the Liverpool goalkeeper at the time.
Four years later, the two sides met again in the final at the Stade de France. Although Karim Benzema was having his best season, it was Vinicius Jr who scored the only goal to further cement Real Madrid’s reputation. Fédé Valverde’s pass from out of nowhere found the unmarked Auriverde striker at the far post, where he calmly missed the target to hand Madrid the trophy.
The following season, Real Madrid met Liverpool again, and this time the Reds fans suffered at Anfield. While Jürgen Klopp’s men took an early lead thanks to an early goal from Darwin Nunez, two men wrapped up the match in a matter of minutes: First Vinicius Jr equalised with a superb shot, then Karim Benzema did the job as he knows how to do to make it 5-2. Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk continues to be troubled by his side’s lacklustre performances against the best team in the competition.
Somehow every time Liverpool wants to revenge against Real Madrid they get beaten again ▫️▪️
— tHe_oRacle 💙🦅 (@OluwasegunOyey3) November 20, 2024
they meet again next week and we can all guess what’s coming 🍿 pic.twitter.com/7VmZJtUwbR
Van Dijk takes beating Real Madrid personally
As Liverpool prepare to take on Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday, centre-back Virgil van Dijk has been quick to share his frustrations at his side’s poor record against Los Merengues. The two clubs face a high-tension encounter in this Champions League clash.
Real Madrid arrived in Liverpool with confidence forged by decades of European dominance and an impressive record against the Reds. The two footballing giants meet once again for a crucial duel in the Champions League group stage, a match that promises to be intense, both emotionally and on a sporting level. Since their first meeting in the 1981 final, Liverpool and Real Madrid have always met in memorable encounters.
🛡️ @ToniRuediger
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 26, 2024
💪 @BellinghamJude
⚡ @KMbappe@Zegna | #RealMadridxZegna pic.twitter.com/ZVp0FuHUU5
However, the recent record is clearly in the Spanish side’s favour: in eight meetings since 2014, Los Merengues have won seven and drawn one.
At the heart of this historic context is Virgil van Dijk, one of the best centre-backs in the world, but who has a difficult record against Real Madrid. Never in his career has the Dutchman managed to beat the Madrid team. It’s a frustration he spoke frankly about in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.
‘I’ve never beaten them. It’s a disappointing record, so we need to recover and be ready for this game. To be honest, I don’t need the feeling of revenge to be prepared. But this is the Champions League. It’s a big game, a great duel for the neutral fan, and we want to dominate and get a win,’ he declared.
🎙️ Van Dijk sobre o Real Madrid:
— 𝐋𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐚 𝐁𝐫 🇪🇸🇧🇷 (@LaLigaBR) November 26, 2024
"Não preciso do sentimento de vingança para estar pronto. É um grande jogo, um duelo muito bonito para o torcedor neutro e queremos dominar e conseguir uma vitória. Nunca os venci. Esse recorde é decepcionante, temos que nos recuperar." pic.twitter.com/RjAzL3dzkg
Real Madrid true to their DNA
On the Madrid side, Carlo Ancelotti knows that history is on his side’s side. With 15 Champions Leagues to their name, Los Merengues are used to shining in decisive moments. But the Italian coach remains cautious against a Liverpool side capable of turning the most complicated situations around, especially in the fiery atmosphere of Anfield.
The absence of the injured Vinicius Jr will reshuffle the cards in Madrid’s attack. Kylian Mbappé, who will occupy the left flank, is expected to be the main attacking spark. Teaming up with Jude Bellingham, he will have to deal with a defence led by a vengeful Van Dijk.
Wednesday’s match is seen as a real final by both sides. For Liverpool, victory would be crucial not only to score points, but also to wash away the affront of previous encounters. For Real Madrid, the aim is to bounce back after two defeats to Lille and AC Milan.
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