Frank Christian
Liverpool is set to face off against Real Madrid on November 26, as the two teams meet again at Anfield during Matchday Five of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
Throughout Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, the Spanish side has consistently been a hurdle for Liverpool, with Klopp unable to secure a win in six attempts against them.
Besides being eliminated from the tournaments in both 2021/22 and 2022/23, Liverpool’s mental block stems from their losses in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals.
Liverpool made impressive runs to those finals, yet they were outplayed by Real Madrid’s impressive ability to succeed on the biggest European stages.
With Arne Slot now at the helm, Liverpool fans remain hopeful for a turnaround. Slot’s record so far has been impressive, and with Madrid struggling with injuries and inconsistent performances this season, it presents a perfect chance for Liverpool to move past their past disappointments.
Matchup Overview: Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Historically, Liverpool and Real Madrid have clashed 11 times; Real Madrid has emerged victorious in seven of those encounters, while Liverpool has won three, and there has been one draw.
Among these matches, three have been finals, where Real Madrid has won twice in the Champions League era, whereas Liverpool claimed victory in the 1981 European Cup final.
There was a significant pause in their meetings until 2009, when Rafa Benitez’s squad overcame Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the 2008/09 season.
2009: When Liverpool triumphed over Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield…
1- Torres
2- Gerrard
4- Gerrard
8- Dossena@LFC | #UCLdraw | #UCL pic.twitter.com/o2Xzevs1uz— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 19, 2021
However, this win proved to be an outlier, as Real Madrid dominated most encounters against Klopp’s squads, demonstrating their prowess consistently as defending champions.
Historical Encounters Between Liverpool and Real Madrid
Victories for Liverpool against Real Madrid have been infrequent, as both Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane frequently overcame Klopp and his team prior to the German’s departure.
Ancelotti has particularly had a notable record against Liverpool, achieving wins in the 2007 final with AC Milan and with Real Madrid in 2022, in addition to ending Everton’s long-standing winless streak at Anfield in 2021.
| Date | Competition | Outcome | Goalscorers |
| Mar. 15, 2023 | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool | Benzema (78) |
| Feb. 21, 2023 | UEFA Champions League | Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid | Nunez (4), Salah (14); Vinicius Jr (21, 36), Miliato (47), Benzema (55, 67) |
| May 28, 2022 | UEFA Champions League | Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid | Vinicius Jr (59) |
| Apr. 14, 2021 | UEFA Champions League | Liverpool 0-0 Real Madrid | N/A |
| Apr. 6, 2021 | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool | Vinicius Jr (27, 65), Asensio (36); Salah (51) |
| May 26, 2018 | UEFA Champions League | Liverpool 1-3 Real Madrid | Benzema (51), Bale (64, 83); Mane (55) |
| Nov. 4, 2014 | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool | Benzema (27) |
| Oct. 24, 2014 | UEFA Champions League | Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid | Ronaldo (23), Benzema (30, 41) |
| Mar. 10, 2009 | UEFA Champions League | Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid | Torres (16), Gerrard (28, 47), Dossena (88) |
| Feb. 25, 2009 | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool | Benayoun (82) |
| May 27, 1981 | European Cup | Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool | Kennedy (81) |
Recent Encounter Recap
The latest clash between the two teams resulted in a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid in the second leg of the 2022/23 Champions League Round of 16.
A goal from Karim Benzema ensured a 6-2 aggregate win after a thrilling 5-2 win for Real Madrid at Anfield in the first leg.
Finals Showdown: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
Alan Kennedy’s decisive goal to secure victory against Real Madrid and clinch our third European Cup
Le Parc des Princes
Paris
1981pic.twitter.com/JEu1noSiQf— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) April 6, 2021
Despite earlier successes under Rafa Benitez, Liverpool has faced seven losses and a draw against Madrid during Klopp and Brendan Rodgers’s time in charge.
Leading up to the 2018 final in Kyiv, Real Madrid had triumphed over champions from France, Italy, and Germany (PSG, Juventus, Bayern Munich) while Liverpool overcame Manchester City and survived Roma’s comeback in the semifinals.
The 2018 final was filled with controversial moments, including Mohamed Salah’s early injury, Loris Karius’ mistakes, and Gareth Bale’s stunning goal from the bench.
2018
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
Olimpiyskiy Stadium#UCLdecade pic.twitter.com/BuicsImKqQ— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 30, 2019
Many in the football community remarked on how much Liverpool had developed under Klopp, yet there was still a distance to cover to match Madrid’s kind of effectiveness.
The 2021 quarterfinal encounter, played at an empty Anfield due to COVID-19, was forgettable, with Madrid again proving their supremacy.
A chance for redemption arose for Liverpool in the 2022 final held in Paris, which was marred by poor planning and security issues that left many fans unable to enter on time — prompting considerable criticism of French authorities.
BREAKING: Sky News reveals findings of a review into the treatment of Liverpool supporters at the 2022 Champions League final.pic.twitter.com/4nBpjd3o6i
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 13, 2023
The game’s events overshadowed the on-pitch action, with Vinicius Junior’s singular goal sealing the match and further exemplifying Real Madrid’s ability to elevate their play when it mattered most.
2/8/0/5/2/0/2/2@vinijr | #CHAMP14NS pic.twitter.com/lLHqIhKOfR
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 28, 2022
