Courtois: “Liverpool will be really up for this”

The Real Madrid squad touched down in Liverpool this afternoon ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s team are the only side who have a 100 percent record after the first four matches, top of the table on 12 points as one of five teams who have not been beaten.

A world away from the position where Madrid find themselves - way down the order in 20th with six points after defeats to Lille and AC Milan.

After managing to pretty much avoid each other for almost three decades, encounters between these two greats of European football have become more frequent in recent years.

Since the memorable Last 16 clash of 2008/9, Liverpool and Real Madrid have met three times in the group stage or knockout round and twice in the final.

Madrid have won their last three games against Liverpool

The Spanish giants, the last team to lift the trophy under the old format and the one with by far the most titles (15) have the edge in the head-to-head stats with seven victories to Liverpool’s three, while one meeting ended level.

So Carlo Ancelotti’s team will fully know what to expect when they step out on the pitch at Anfield - even though the attendance will be much higher than the last time they played there. After redeveloping the Anfield Road end (where the travelling Madrid supporters will be), the stadium can now house just over 60,000.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also had a good idea of what’s in store - Liverpool pounded his goal in the 2022 final in Paris firing 24 shots at him. But Klopp’s men couldn’t find a way past the Belgian, his six saves were crucial to Los Blancos' triumph.

Courtois referred to that game when he previewed tomorrow’s clash with Real Madrid Play.

Liverpool with the same dynamic under Slot

“Obviously, playing at Anfield is a plus for them. I’m sure they will be really up for this to get one back for losing the final in Paris and the Last 16 defeat in 2023. They will want to get their revenge but I hope we can overcome them and win,” the keeper said.

“After many years under Klopp, Liverpool have a new manager. Now, with Arne Slot, they are a very dynamic, attacking side with the same attributes they had before. Constant pressing, a lot of attacks, good counters and lightning speed up front. As for us, we’ll have to find of way of defusing their strength," Courtois added, before mentioning the player that Madrid will need to keep an eye on.

“Salah, he’s always been a special player. I think he’s the one who makes a difference in that team. He’s a very attack-minded player, he’s extremely good. We’ll have to keep a watch on him,” he concluded.