Xabi Alonso labelled the Real Madrid vs. Liverpool match as a European classic in his pre-game press conference on Monday. This is his second visit to Anfield in two years. Almost exactly a year ago, his Leverkusen
side was dismantled by Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Things have changed for Slot and Liverpool this season. For Xabi Alonso, his club has changed altogether.
Real Madrid vs. Liverpool–is one of the most storied matchups of European football. Both teams have won the most league titles in their respective countries. The same is true for UEFA Champions League titles. The teams first met in the final of 1981, in Paris. Liverpool won it 1-0. Their most recent final was in 2022, also in Paris, but won by Real Madrid this time. They met in the 2018 final in Kiev too.
Real Madrid are currently enjoying a 7W 1D 4L record against Liverpool in the Champions League. Madrid went on an eight-game unbeaten streak against Liverpool before their 2-0 defeat at Anfield last season.
Real Madrid’s senior team manager, Xabi Alonso, and Real Madrid Castilla manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, have both played for Liverpool. In men’s football, 11 players have played for both clubs. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the latest player to do so. The list includes former Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen. It also includes names such as Nicolas Anelka, Steve McManaman, and Fernando Morientes.
Real Madrid and Liverpool have shared a manager, too. Rafa Benitez, a Champions League winner for Liverpool in 2005, is perhaps remembered more fondly at Anfield than at the Bernabeu. It was Benitez’s Liverpool who won 4-0 against Real Madrid at Anfield in 2009. The return leg at the Bernabeu ended in a 1-0 win for Liverpool. Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa started both games, wearing red. Both would join Real Madrid the following season. Real Madrid’s legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti had shared his dream to coach Liverpool in the past, but he found himself on the blue side of the Merseyside derby before reuniting with Real Madrid in 2021.
This fixture has witnessed some of the most iconic Real Madrid performances of all time. Gareth Bale’s brace in the Champions League final of 2018, which included an outrageous bicycle kick, comes to mind. Vinicius Jr. has produced inspiring performances against Liverpool at Valdebebas, Paris, and Anfield over the years.
Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick at Anfield in 2023, after Real Madrid went two goals down in the first half, and went on to win 5-2. Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde–very likely to start at right-back on Tuesday, began his right-back journey at Anfield in 2021, under Zinedine Zidane.
Thibaut Courtois produced a miraculous shift under the goal in the final of 2022. Iker Casillas made great save after great save in Madrid’s 4-0 defeat at Anfield in 2009. Without that Casillas performance, Real Madrid would probably end up having one of the worst scorelines in the history of the competition.
