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Real Madrid vs Liverpool summary: score, goals and highlights | 2022-23 Champions League

Update:
Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid completed a 6-2 aggregate win over Liverpool and reached the Champions League quarter-finals.

Full-time: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (6-2 on aggregate)

Never in doubt! Real Madrid safely through to the quarter-finals thanks to Benzema's 78th-minute strike. 

Carlo Ancelotti said in his press conference on Tuesday that his team would be looking to play a similar game to the one they did at Anfield and that they would play with intensity from the start. That’s exactly what they did and they gave Liverpool little encouragement as the Reds tried to get the three-goal win the needed to take the tie to extra-time. Los Blancos were the more threatening team in the final third in both halves, with Alisson making two superb stops from Vinicius and Camavinga in the first period in particular.

Salah was Liverpool's main danger and threatened to cause problems for Nacho and Madrid in the opening 45 minutes but became more and more subdued as the match wore on. Nuñez and Gakpo did draw decent stops from Courtois before half-time, but it was Alisson’s work between the sticks which stood out.

The second period was slightly less frantic than the first, bar a 10-minute spell just before the hour-mark. Again, Madrid had the better of the opportunities, with Valverde denied by Alisson after going clear through on goal and then heading over from a delicious Modric cross. Benzema then blasted an angled drive over when you would’ve fancied him to score, but he wouldn’t be kept out for long, tapping into an empty net with 12 minutes to go after Vinicius had poked the ball in his direction.

The goal rendered the final stages relatively meaningless and there was little to shout about at either end in the run-up to full-time, other than a lengthy VAR check for a handball against Liverpool defender Tsimiskas in the box, which ultimately wasn’t given.

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Every word Carlo Ancelotti said after Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Liverpool

Praise for almost every single member of his team from Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who gave a peculiar reason for why he might leave Toni Kroos out of future starting line-ups...

"I'll have to talk to the doctor"

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Klopp: “Whoever wants to win the Champions League will have to beat Madrid and City”

A little bit more from Jürgen Klopp, who also spoke to Spanish broadcaster Movistar after the game. 

No complains from the German, who made it crystal clear who his favourites to win the Champions League are. What do you think?

Here's Andy with more. 

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2023 Champions League quarter final draw: Seeding, country protection: is it an open draw?

Liverpool go home, both literally and metaphorically, while Real Madrid march on to the quarter-finals as they look to win the trophy for the second season in succession. 

We'll have more on the fallout from the game across AS USA in the coming hours. For now, I'll leave you with a little bit more on Friday's quarter-final draw.

Not just 'who will play who?', but 'who can play who'?

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Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp: "The right team went through"

"Being 5-2 down is not a great result if you want to go through. You need to have a special performance and we couldn't do that tonight. Real Madrid had the best chances, Alisson made two fantastic saves. The right team went through, we have to admit that. Knockout stages are like this. It's not what we wanted but it's what we got.

"You need moments in a game like this, if we scored in the first half it could have given us the spark but this is hypothetical. They were the better team in three halves of this tie and that's how you go through.

"If we draw at home and play like we did tonight, we probably go out as well. We cannot come here and hope that we get something. We prepared for a special performance tonight but it didn't happen.

"Nobody thinks 'how could Liverpool go out?' and that's probably the best sign that the right team went through and that's how it is in the knockout stage."

Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, speaking to BT Sport

Benzema spares Vinicius' blushes

That looks like a 'thank you for sparing my blushes' hug for Benzema after Vinicius had mis-kicked a split second before teeing up the Frenchman to score. 

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti: "It was the match we wanted"

General thoughts: "I think we played and managed it well. We didn't defend with a low block and tried to handle the ball well. We had opportunities and were solid at the back. It's the match we wanted."

Approach in the first half: "Our high pressing made it difficult for them. Modric and Kroos handle these types of matches very well. They bring the ball out very well from the back."

Late substitutions: "The team was doing well, so it wasn't just about making changes for the sake of it. I made the changes to break up the game at the end. We played well throughout. Always focused. Without taking risks...we're happy."

Any stand-out performers? "I liked the whole team. Psychologically, it was a tricky game. We had a three-goal lead and didn't take our foot off the gas."

You'll Never Walk Alone being played after full-time at the Bernabéu: "I didn't know it was going to happen, but it's very good that it did. Liverpool is noble club, they made tribute to (former Real Madrid player) Amancio (who died in February) in the first leg. It was a very nice gesture from them."

What did you talk about with Klopp? "We agreed it wasn't a handball at the end. Before the match, we talked about yesterday's penalty. The penalty given against Leipzig was crazy. That's not football, to give a penalty like that in the Champions League...".

On the prospect of facing Milan in the quarterfinals: "I want Milan in the final, not in the quarterfinals."

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager, speaking to Movistar

Manager reactions coming up

We'll have reaction from Carlo Ancelotti and Jürgen Klopp coming up in no time. 

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Liverpool make history...

...but it's not the history they were hoping for today. 

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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema: "It's just a knock, I'll be there on Sunday"

Overall thoughts: "It was a complicated match. But at the beginning we showed that we wanted to attack. You're always up against it in soccer nowadays. Everyone wants more. The important thing is to win and progress to the next round."

The injury: "I took a hard blow to the shin, but it's just a knock. I'll be there on Sunday (against Barcelona at Camp Nou)."

Next opponents: "All teams are good. There are no bad teams left. We'll see who we get."

Discussions with Camavinga: "We talked about little details. The two Liverpool central defenders play more openly and there is always an opportunity through the middle. That's where the goal came from. He tries hard, he's very young, he has a lot of talent, and we're very happy with him."

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid striker, speaking to Movistar
When’s the draw for the 2022/23 Champions League quarter-finals?

Real Madrid are through to the quarter-finals with minimum fuss, as are Napoli, who defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 tonight, 5-0 on aggregate. 

The eight teams left in the competition are:

 

- Chelsea

- Manchester City

- Bayern Munich

- Milan

- Inter

- Napoli

- Benfica

- Real Madrid

 

They go into the draw for the last eight. But when is it? Here's William with all you need to know about it. 

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90+3

An eventful cameo for Tsimikas, who is now booked for catching Ceballos with an elbow. 

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90+3

No penalty!

After a two-minute check, no penalty!

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90+1

VAR check for handball!

Vázquez gets in behind Tsimikas, who gets a block in as a shot comes in from Rodrygo and comes off his hand after first touching his thigh. 

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90

Tsimikas and Carvalho on for some appearance money for Liverpool. Robertson and Gakpo off. 

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90

Two minutes of added time. 

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89

Things petering out a bit with both sides clear what their fate will be in a few minutes' time. 

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85

Final Real Madrid change

Fancy another sub? Go on then...

Vázquez takes over from Carvajal at right-back for Real Madrid. 

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84

Liverpool are pressing for a consolation and play some neat stuff around the edge of the Madrid box. Salah plays Trent in down the right but his cross is superbly blocked by Nacho. 

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83

Two more Real Madrid subs

Kroos and Vincius have been two of the hosts' best performers but are taken off. Asensio and Tchouaméni come on. 

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82

Elliott fires one towards goal as Liverpool try to respond but Courtois is behind it all the way and makes a comfortable stop. 

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81

First changes for Real Madrid

Modric and Benzema get a standing ovation as they leave the field to be replaced by Ceballos and Rodrygo. 

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I'm going to say it. Liverpool aren't going to come back from this. 

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77

GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL REAL MADRID! BENZEMA!

Real Madrid are surely safe!

Camavinga picks out a superb through-ball to Benzema, but Van Dijk gets a foot in to stop the Frenchman from shooting initially. The ball breaks to Vinícius, who makes a total of mess of his shot but manages to poke the ball back to Benzema, who taps into an empty net. 

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76

A good opening for Liverpool! Did they overplay it? Salah, then Oxlade-Chamberlain, then Elliott all could've got shots away, but the latter plays it wide to Robertson, who is at a tight angle and sees his cross blocked. 

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75

A slight butterfingers moment for Courtois as he juggles Robertson's hanging free-kick into the box. Claimed at the second attempt. Nothing to see here. 

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74

And now Militão escapes a booking when he could easily have had one for a late challenge on Gakpo.

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73

Still no yellows on the field, though, despite Elliott absolutely clattering into Militão after the ball had gone. 

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73

Third change for Liverpool

Milner off, Oxlade-Chamberlain on. 

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72

Klopp cautioned

A yellow card for Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, who's not happy about something down by the touchline. 

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71

Some more twinkletoes from Vinicius as he toys with Trent and Firmino down by the corner flag. A lovely bit of skill gets the ball away from both but he doesn't have enough space to get round to it. 

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68

Much like the first half, Real Madrid are looking the more likely here. 

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67

Benzema...over!

The clearest chance of the half for Benzema! A never-ending run from the left-hand side from Vinicius ends with him picking a perfect pass in the box for the Frenchman. You would've put your house on him scoring from there, so it's just as well you didn't. An uncharacteristic miss. 

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65

I must admit that after the first 10 or 15 minutes, I didn't see this being goalless with 25 minutes left to play...

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62

Seconds later, Modric leaves everywhere drooling by lifting the ball majestically over Trent and whips a fine left-footed cross into the box which is met by Valverde, who can't keep his header down. That was a good opportunity!

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62

Nacho has had some tough moments defensively but appears in the Liverpool box for the first time, although his cross is cut out. 

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60

A decent bit of possession from Liverpool but no cutting edge. Salah floats a ball into the Real Madrid box but there's nobody there. Real Madrid are comfortable. 

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58

Fabinho tries to play Salah through but overhits the pass and it runs out for a goal kick. The Egyptian was in a really good position there too.

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55

Liverpool changes

Firmino and Elliott on for Jota and Nuñez for Liverpool. 

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54

Superb block from Alexander-Arnold!

The chances keep on coming! Benzema looks like he's about to stroke the ball into the corner but Trent appears from nowhere to make a superb tackle!

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53

Liverpool then go straight up the other end and are two against two in attack. Salah has Nuñez in acres of space but plays a really poor pass which allows Rüdiger to intercept. 

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53

What did I say about the game being less frantic?

Kroos wins the ball high up and plays Valverde clean through. Alisson does excellently to block the midfielder's shot and then saves a follow up effort form Benzema.

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52

Another dangerous-looking attack from Madrid and another late, late offside flag. Vinicius tried to square it for Benzema but the ball was cut out by Van Dijk anyway. 

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51

A peach of a pass from Trent almost sets Nuñez away but it's got just too much gas on it and it runs through to Courtois. 

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50

Nacho is again in the wars and Jota is the man responsible, again. More fouls than anything else in the opening minutes of the half. 

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50

The start of the second half feels a little less frantic than the first. Still early days though. 

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49

A naughty little trip from Jota on Camavinga in midfield. The referee keeps his cards in his pocket though. 

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46

The corner is half-cleared and when the ball comes back in, Gakpo gets free round the back and heads across goal, but it goes to a white shirt and is cleared

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46

An early corner coming up for Liverpool. They could do with a fast start...

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Second half underway!

No changes for either side. 

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Three goals or bust for Liverpool

To those of you who think it's impossible to score three times in the second half, they did so SIX times against Manchester United not that long ago...

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Alisson to the rescue

This is an interesting take...

I'm afraid that's just not how soccer works. 

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Goalkeepers on top

No goals but it's not been for the want of trying. Courtois and especially Alisson have been two of the top performers so far. 

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Half-time: Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool

Real Madrid are 45 minutes closer to the Champions League quarter-finals. 

Carlo Ancelotti said his team would come out and play with intensity and that's exactly what they have done so far. It's been anopen, end-to-end clash, with Madrid just as happy to attack as Liverpool, even though they have a three-goal lead to defend. 

The hosts have been the more threatening on the whole and have forced Alisson into making a couple of superb stops; one from Vinicius from close-range and another from Camavinga from distance. The Brazilian winger has been the main dangerman up against Alexander-Arnold but hasn't quite been able to apply a finishing touch.

Similarly, Salah against Nacho is the key battle for Liverpool, who have given Courtois some work to do. Nuñez and Gakpo both stung the palms of the Belgian towards the end of the half, while the Uruguayan and Jota have been guilty of passing up good opportunities from decent positions. 

There has been some encouragement for the visitors, then, although they need a minimum of three second-half goals..

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45+1

...which is cleared and comes to nothing. 

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45+1

Liverpool break and Trent gets away down the right-hand side and has men in the box. His cross is cut out at the near post, but it's a corner for the Reds...

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45

Two minutes of injury time. 

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44

Yet another offside call, which is a sign of how high both teams have been pushing up the field. Madrid are going for this, as Ancelotti suggested they would. 

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42

Konaté almost gets himself in a mess trying to defend a high ball under pressure from Valverde but the Uruguayan gives him an easy option out by nudging him while the ball was in the air. 

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It doesn't look like it from this photo, but this was the first of two superb saves from Alisson that have kept Real Madrid at bay so far. 

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38

Real Madrid have taken one or two risks on the ball at the back and have almost been caught out. They've got away with it so far but don't want to be making trouble for themselves...

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37

Salah isn't just giving Nacho a tough time in a footballing sense, he's also just given him a kick around the ankle, which the defender isn't best pleased about. He should live, I think. 

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35

Are we watching basketball here? Courtois is suddenly having to get his gloves dirty, as Gakpo stings his palms with an angled drive. 

End-to-end. 

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34

Real Madrid go up the other again and once again it's Vinicius getting the better of Trent. The Brazilian easily comes inside and has space to shoot, but Alisson is well positioned and easily keeps it out. 

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32

Nuñez again, Courtois again! A much better effort from the Uruguayan, who cuts inside from the left and arrows one towards the far corner, only for the Real Madrid stopper to touch it round the post!

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30

Courtois is next to be called into action as Fabinho floats a ball towards Nuñez, but the attacker has too much to do to beat the Belgian with a header from just inside the box. 

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Alisson saves from Camavinga

Alisson's stop from Camavinga was crucial and looked great too. One to look out for when you catch the highlights later. 

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28

Nacho is having a bit of a torrid time dealing with Salah. Van Dijk plays a long ball up to the Egyptians, who manages to turn his man and win a free-kick in a good position (although it's completely wasted...). 

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26

Ask Trent to defend against a rapid, tricky winger and he's going to give you dirty looks, but give him a ball in the final third and he'll stick a dangerous cross into the box. That's exactly what he does but Gakpo doesn't get enough on his header, which drifts wide. 

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25

Another save from Alisson...! Although the offside goes up belatedly. Benzema had played the ball through to Vinícius with ease and the Brazilian had plenty of space to race into the Madrid box and get a shot away. 

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23

The first time in the game that one side has had a sustained period of possession. It's come at the right time for Liverpool, who have had to survive a few scares in the last 10 minutes or so. 

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21

Modric...inches away!

What a strike from Luka Modric! The ball drops to him on the edge of the box and he whistles inches over the crossbar. That was a Valverde-esque hit. 

Madrid are looking good. 

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That's two sensational stops from Alisson...

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18

Camavinga...off the bar!

Real Madrid almost prove my point! Camavinga lines one up from 25 yards and a superb stop from Alisson touches it onto the crossbar!

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17

Another big chance for Liverpool!

Trent is much happier when he's on the attack though and he clips the ball through for Salah, who again gets away from Nacho. The Egyptian picks out the unmarked Jota in the middle but the Portuguese completely miscues his effort when he should've at least tested Courtois. 

The Reds can't afford to pass up these chances. 

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16

I get the feeling it's going to be a long night for Trent Alexander-Arnold (call I just call him Trent from now on?). Vinícius has gone past him a few times already (without having an end product). 

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15

Konaté has got away with one there. He slides in to challenge Benzema in midfield, is about a day late but escapes a yellow card. 

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13

Big save from Alisson!

Things have suddenly gone mad out there! Valverde floats a cross into the back post, it's headed across goal and Vinícius looks set to prod it over the line, only to be thwarted by a huge stop from Alisson!

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12

Chance for Real Madrid from Liverpool's corner!

Alexander-Arnold's delivery is headed clear and it drops to a white shirt. Camavinga brings it forward on the counter and plays it through for Benzema, who looks to have space for a shut but a poor touch allows Liverpool to crowd him out. 

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11

The first time Salah has had the chance to run at Nacho and he skips past him as if he's not there. Corner for the Reds.

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10

Modric's corner is half-cleared but only as far as Kroos, who hits in from 25 yards but it's straight at Alisson. A good strike but a comfortable save. 

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10

Another corner for the hosts...

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8

Chance wasted by Real Madrid!

Camavinga does brilliantly to win the ball in midfield and Madrid are away. Vini plays it round the back for the run of Kroos, who has Benzema unmarked in the middle but instead picks out...Milner, who clears. 

That would've settled any nerves! Kroos should probably have done better there.

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7

Valverde winds up one of his blockbusters after Alexander-Arnold gives away a free-kick for a foul on Vini. 

Blocked

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6

Huge chance for Liverpool!

What a start that would've been for the visitors! Salah very nearly gets in behind Rüdiger but the German does just enough to hold him up. The Liverpool star manages to sneak it through to Nuñez, though, who has a clear sight of goal but is denied by Courtois' feet.

A big chance for the Reds!

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5

...falls to Benzema, but his shot is blocked and Liverpool clear. 

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5

First corner for Real Madrid...

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4

Vini has taken an early interest in this game and hypnotises Alexander-Arnold with his footwork. He can't get away from Konaté though, good defending from the defender inside his own box. 

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2

I was having an internal debate with myself about whether Nuñez or Jota would start as the central striker for Liverpool and it looks as if it's going to be the latter, as I suspected. Nuñez is hanging out on the left. 

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2

Silky stuff in midfield from Kroos and he plays Benzemaclean through on goal...! But he's at least a metre offside. And Alisson saves it anyway. 

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1

A heart-in-the-mouth moment immediately for Real Madrid as Benzema plays a risky pass deep inside in his own half but it runs through to Rüdiger with Gakpo in close proximity...

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Away. We. Go.

Can Liverpool do this? We're about to find out!

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Liverpool team to play Real Madrid

And here's the Liverpool line-up. How much are those midfield absences going to affect them?

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Gakpo, Nuñez; Jota.

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Real Madrid team to play Liverpool

As the Champions League anthem plays, a little reminder of the Real Madrid team to face Liverpool. 

Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Nacho; Modric, Kroos, Camavinga; Valverde, Benzema, Vini.

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"On the good side of history"

A new banner unfurled at the Bernabéu. "On the good side of history".

I wonder what that could be a reference to...?

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Countdown to kickoff!

'Hala Madrid' is ringing around the Bernabéu...that can only mean one thing. It's almost time for kickoff!

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How many times have Real Madrid and Liverpool played each other in the Champions League?

How many times have Real Madrid and Liverpool played each other in the Champions League?

This will be the 11th time Real Madrid and Liverpool have met in the European Cup/Champions League. The Spanish side have the upper hand, having won six matches to three, two of which were, as mentioned, finals in 2018 and 2022. 

Liverpool, however, won the only meeting between the teams in a European Cup final in 1981. 

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Benzema joins Ramos on 129 Champions League appearances

He's had his injury problems this season, but Benzema starts tonight! And that nudges him up a place on a very illustrious list. 

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Liverpool's Champions League record

Liverpool's Champions League record

Liverpool's record in the competition isn't too shabby either, though. They are joint-third on the list for all-time Champions League/European Cup wins, with their victory over Tottenham in the 2019 final in Madrid their sixth overall. Their first four wins came in an eight-year spell in the 1970s and 80s. 

And their fifth triumph included a famous comeback from three goals down to Milan to win the 2005 final on penalties. Could that be an omen for today's clash?

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Real Madrid’s Champions League record

Real Madrid’s Champions League record

You probably don't need me to tell you that Real Madrid are pretty good when it comes to the Champions League (and the European Cup, its predecessor). 

Los Blancos have won the competition (or two competitions, if you prefer) on a record 14 occasions, twice as many times as the next club on the list, which is Milan. They won the first five editions of the European Cup between 1956 and 1960 and have, of course, enjoyed more recent spells of dominance too. They won the Champions League three times in five seasonsfrom 1998 to 2002 and then won four in five years from 2014 to 2018. 

And who have they defeated in their last two finals? Liverpool, obviously. 

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Every word of Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference ahead of the return leg against Liverpool

Uncle Carletto, meanwhile, was being his usual cool, calm and collected self in his media conference in Tuesday. 

Just how do you approach a second leg when you're three goals ahead? 

"We have to play to the best of our abilities and try to put in a similar performance to the one we put in during the first leg. We’ll be trying to enter the game from kick-off, playing with intensity and desire to win the game”.

No surprises there but it will be interesting to see how the players approach the start of the game knowing what the score is. 

The Italian was also asked about last season's comebacks, his seemingly frosty relationship with Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema's fitness and more. Here's every word, again from Andy. 

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Klopp: “100% of the people think we have no chance”

Speaking to the press yesterday, Jürgen Klopp said that "here in this room, I think, 100 per cent of the people think that we have no chance". 

Does he include himself in that? 

"If I am the only one who thinks we have a little chance, I’m fine with that. We are the complete outsiders for tomorrow’s game, 100% - it’s Real Madrid, they are 3-0 up, that’s nothing you would want for Christmas. But’s that’s the situation, it’s football and we will try to give it a go".

Andy is here with every word that Klopp said in his pre-match conference, in which he discussed how he would approach the game, the pressure being off, Real Madrid's strengths and plenty more.

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In the name of impartiality - and for all you bus lovers out there - this was the Real Madrid bus arriving at the stadium a little while ago. 

With a three-goal lead to defend, will they parking it on the field (see what I did there?)? 

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What are the biggest second-leg comebacks in Champions League knockout round history?

If my last post wasn't enough to persuade you that Liverpool could do it, perhaps this one will (or not...).

Four teams have overturned a three-goal deficit from the first leg in previous editions of the Champions League, but no team has ever done it playing the second leg away from home...if Jürgen Klopp's side are to go through, they'll have to rewrite history. 

Here are the Champions League's current greatest comebacks. 

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What do Liverpool need to do to qualify for the quarter-finals?

What do Liverpool need to do to qualify for the quarter-finals?

What is says up there. What do Liverpool need to do to qualify for the quarter-finals?

Well, the simplest way would be to win by four goals in 90 minutes. It's not much to ask, is it? 

Perhaps a smidge more realistic would be if they won by a three-goal margin across 90 and then 120 minutes before prevailing in a penalty shootout. Are you convinced that's likely to happen...?

Just a little reminder about the state of play with away goals, which aren't in play anymore. There's a lovely piece from Calum here about why the rule was scrapped and what happens now in the event of a draw. 

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Real Madrid "arrive home"

Is there even a match taking place if we don't see a clip of the teams arriving at the ground (inside or outside, doesn't matter. Preferably both). 

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Liverpool in the 2022-23 Champions League

Liverpool in the 2022-23 Champions League

Liverpool also breezed through their group, although five wins out of six games were incredibly not enough to secure top spot (and is the reason they face such a tough round of 16 tie). The Reds' only dropped points came in the very first game, in which they suffered a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of eventual group winners Napoli. Both teams then won home and away against Ajax and Rangers, and a 2-0 win for Jürgen Klopp's side against the Serie A leaders at Anfield wasn't enough to overhaul the Italians on the head-to-head record. 

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Real Madrid in the 2022-23 Champions League

Real Madrid in the 2022-23 Champions League

The group phase of this season's Champions League was pretty plain sailing for Real Madrid, although they eventually only topped their group by a single point. They couldn't really fail to make it through to the knockout stages after blasting through their first three matches, although a 3-2 defeat away to RB Leipzig meant that they needed to beat Celtic on the final matchday - which they did, 5-1 - to be sure of pipping the Germans to top spot. 

Does anyone remember the last time Madrid failed to make it out of the groups? No? That's because it's never happened. 

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Liverpool arriving at the Bernabéu

The most photographed bus in the West, judging by this snap. 

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Liverpool team to play Real Madrid

And, right on cue, Liverpool have revealed how they will line up at the Bernabéu!

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Gakpo, Nuñez; Jota. 

Pick the bones out of that midfield. As great a servant as he's been and as good a career as he's had, I'll bet James Milner wouldn't have been expecting to start against Real Madrid away from home. 

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Real Madrid team to play Liverpool

Here we go! (Almost) a full strength roster for Carlo Ancelotti to choose from. What's he gone with?

Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Nacho; Modric, Kroos, Camavinga; Valverde, Benzema, Vini.

What stands out there? "Nacho at left-back instead of Camavinga who starts in midfield ahead of Tchouaméni", would be my answer. 

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Liverpool vs Real Madrid, summary: score, goals, highlights | Champions League 22/23

What happened in the first leg? 

Well, if you missed it, you missed a cracker! It looked for all the world as if it was going to be Liverpool's night in the early stages, with Nuñez and Salah (massively helped by Courtois) putting the Reds 2-0 up (and cruising) inside 15 minutes. 

The Real Madrid kicked into gear out of absolutely nowhere and ended up scoring five times in the final 75 minutes, Vinícius and Benzema grabbing a couple of goals each. 

"We lost 5-2 and they weren't even that good", was the general feeling among Liverpool fans on social media after the game. Yes, lads and lasses it's Real Madrid, that's what they do.

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Early Liverpool team news

On the flip side, there are plenty of injury concerns for Jürgen Klopp to contend with, especially in midfield. With Thiago already absent because of a groin problem, a similar injury picked up by Stefan Bajcetic and Jordan Henderson coming down with an illness really couldn't have come at worse time. Will Naby Keita be rushed back after his recent fitness issues?

Winger Luis Díaz is back in training but isn't ready for a first-team return, while defender Joe Gomez isn't expected to feature either. 

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Early Real Madrid team news

No line-ups for the game just yet (although Madrid in particular usually don't hang about). 

With Ferland Mendy back in the squad after a recent absence, fellow defender David Alaba is the only absentee for Carlo Ancelotti's side. The Austrian is expected to be out for another couple of weeks because of a hamstring problem. 

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Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Champions League

Of course, you may be looking for a way to watch the game, in which case, you are bang in luck. If you’re watching from the United States, there is a way and this is it!

You can also watch Real Madrid vs Liverpool live stream on fuboTV (free trial available).

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What time does Real Madrid vs Liverpool kick off?

Wednesday's game gets underway at 9pm local time in Spain, that’s 4pm. ET and 1pm PT. Over the course of the next 90 minutes or so, I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty, plenty more.

Are you ready? Let’s do this!

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Hello and welcome to Real Madrid vs Liverpool!

Hello and welcome to Real Madrid vs Liverpool!

Six down, two to go. We’ve reached the last day of 2022-23 Champions League round of 16 action and, following a big win in the first leg at Anfield, Real Madrid will surely see off Liverpool to make the quarter-finals, right…?

Since that game on Merseyside, the Reds have made history by putting seven past Manchester United and will need to put in a similarly iconic performance at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu to overturn a three-goal deficit from the first leg.

Could they do it? It’s soccer, stranger things have happened…If they pull it off, it’ll be one of those where-were-you-when-it-happened moments. You wouldn't want to miss that, would you?

Thanks for joining me (Roddy) for Wednesday's clash between Real Madrid and Liverpool, two of Europe’s heavyweights!

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