Real Madrid and Liverpool have met nine times in the Champions League over the last decade and the matchup has delivered some of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history.
When two of the biggest clubs in the world clash in the Champions League, the headlines practically write themselves, especially when the clubs are Real Madrid and Liverpool. The two sides have a habit of meeting on Europe’s biggest stage, but the results have gone in Real Madrid’s favor in recent years.
In fact, Los Blancos defeated Liverpool in seven of their last nine European fixtures, including victories in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals. The Reds, though, finally claimed victory against the Spanish giants last season, ending their poor string of results in the mouthwatering matchup.
The European giants are once again set to meet in the Champions League league phase this season. The upcoming fixture promises to add more highlights to the developing rivalry, with Trent Alexander-Arnold now wearing white.
No matter what happens at Anfield, though, it will be hard to top the matchup’s most iconic moments.
After failing to find a victory in their last six Champions League matches against Real Madrid, Liverpool were hungry for revenge against the reigning European champions when they met at Anfield in the 2022–23 round of 16.
Jürgen Klopp’s side got off to a flying start, going up 2–0 in the first 15 minutes thanks to goals from Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah. The Reds had several opportunities to add to their lead in the first half, but instead, it was Vinícius Júnior who bagged a brace, bringing Real Madrid back level before heading down the tunnel.
What unfolded in the second half of the match still seems improbable given how end-to-end the first 45 minutes were. Los Blancos came back onto the pitch and buried three more goals by the 67th minute, stunning Anfield into silence.
Éder Militão’s winner would have been enough to give his squad the edge heading into the second leg of the tie, but Karim Benzema’s brace effectively punched Real Madrid’s ticket to the quarterfinals before both teams even set foot in the Santiago Bernabéu.
After years of woes against Real Madrid, the pressure was on Liverpool to deliver a statement against the then-defending European champions at Anfield. Although the clash was not a knockout match, it still had the feel of a major European night, one that pitted two of football’s best against one another.
All eyes were on Kylian Mbappé in his debut campaign in a white shirt, yet the stars in red quickly stole the show. Liverpool applied relentless pressure from the opening whistle and Los Blancos simply could only contain Arne Slot’s men for so long.
A right-footed strike from Alexis Mac Allister eventually sent the crowd at Anfield to its feet in the 52nd minute. Thibaut Courtois, who had played hero in the first half, could not deny the in-form midfielder.
Mbappé had a chance to bring the game level from the spot, but the Frenchman failed to convert from 12 yards out. Salah went on to miss his own penalty kick, but Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a clinical header from close range, delivering Liverpool’s long-awaited glory against Real Madrid.
