‘Somebody should find a new job’ – Klopp on UEFA’s organisation of CL final
Liverpool resume their Champions League campaign with a difficult test in the round of 16 when they take on holders Real Madrid. This clash is a repeat of the 2022 final which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s men lift the trophy after a heart-breaking 1-0 victory over the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have a poor record against the Spanish champions. They have not beaten Real Madrid in any of the last six meetings – a run which dates back to March 2009. During this time Liverpool have managed just one draw, a goalless affair in the 2021 quarter-final second leg, which saw Madrid progress through the round after a 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu.
Yet, this match comes at a decent time for Liverpool. Klopp’s men have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this year and their forward trio of Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo seems to finally be clicking. Madrid, meanwhile, are on a four-game winning run which has seen them win the Fifa Club World Cup following a 5-3 victory over Al-Hilal. They are in confident form and will be targeting consecutive Champions League wins with Barcelona eight points clear at the top of La Liga.
Can Liverpool defeat the Champions League winners at Anfield?
Follow all the action as the last-16 knockout stages get underway:
Liverpool 2- 5 Real Madrid
79 mins: Andy Robertson tries to get into the box down the left side but overhits the ball as he knocks it past Valverde. The ball slows up giving Robertson a bit of hope that he can keep it in play but Carvajal scoots across and marshalls it behind.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:42
Liverpool 2- 5 Real Madrid
76 mins: Mo Salah flicks the ball down the right wing and sets James Milner up for a cross. He swings the ball in early and picks out Diogo Jota.
Jota seems caught in two minds whether to volley it or bring it down. He decides to control it but gets his first touch wrong and the ball bounces away from him.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:38
Liverpool 2- 5 Real Madrid
73 mins: Jurgen Klopp needs to stem the flow without sacrificing his attacking qualities. Joel Matip and James Milner are introduced with Jordan Henderson and Joe Gomez taken off.
17 minutes to play at Anfield, is there a way back for Liverpool?
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:35
Liverpool 2- 5 Real Madrid
70 mins: Real Madrid have scored five goals without reply. It’s been a marvellous turnaround from the Spanish champions.
Liverpool have to double down now. They’ve got to try and score again to cut this deficit.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:31
GOAL! Liverpool 2- 5 Real Madrid (Benzema, 67’)⚽️
67 mins: Incredible! Liverpool are caught in the centre of the pitch with Luka Modric shrugging off the young Stefan Bajcetic. He plays the ball off to Vinicius Jr who carries to the edge of the box before slipping it inside to Karim Benzema.
Benzema sits down Alisson and slots his left-footed finish into the back of the net!
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:29
Liverpool 2- 4 Real Madrid
64 mins: Antonio Rudiger comes flying onto a long-range shot when Liverpool attempt to clear their lines. The former Chelsea defender strikes it well but pulls the effort slightly to the left of goal.
Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are now introduced for Liverpool with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez taken off.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:25
Liverpool 2- 4 Real Madrid
61 mins: VAR takes a look at a potential penalty for Liverpool. Cody Gakpo whips a cross in from the left and hits Carvajal on the arm.
The video referee takes a long look at the incident but decides that it was a deliberate handball from the defender so Liverpool don’t win the penalty.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:21
Liverpool 2- 4 Real Madrid
58 mins: Real Madrid came back from two goals down in the first half and now the onus is on Liverpool to do the same in the second. The Reds certainly need to score the next goal if they want to get back into the game.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:19
GOAL! Liverpool 2- 4 Real Madrid (Benzema, 55’)⚽️
55 mins: Dani Carvajal knocks the ball down the right wing for Rodrygo. He brings it into the box and links up with Karim Benzema who curls a left footed shot at goal.
Alisson seems to have it covered but ball hits Joe Gomez and deflects into the back of the net after wrongfooting the goalkeeper. Madrid now lead by two.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:18
Liverpool 2- 3 Real Madrid
53 mins: Close! Stefan Bajcetic switches the play with a cross field pass over to Mo Salah. He dinks it forward to Trent Alexander-Arnold who whips an early cross over to the far side of the penalty area.
Darwin Nunez looks to be arriving for the header but gets a push in the back from Dani Carvajal. Nunez goes down as the ball bounces over his head hoping for a penalty.
The referee plays on and VAR doesn’t even check the incident.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 21:15