Real Madrid v. Liverpool – 2008-2009 Champions League Preview
Rafa reacts to Liverpool's latest contract offer.
Real Madrid v Liverpool
First Leg: Santiago Bernabeu, Wednesday, February 25 2009.
Second Leg: Anfield, Tuesday, March 10 2009.
Where do we start with this one?
How about Rafa Benitez, who is under an increasing amount of pressure of Liverpool (some of which is his own doing), possibly going to the Bernabeu in the summer? How about Juande Ramos, who will be returning to England for the first time since he was fired from Tottenham earlier in the year?
How about Real Madrid buying Ajax forward Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra, and only being allowed to register one of them for the Knockout Round? They went with Diarra, by the way. How about former Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek backing up Iker Casillas at Real Madrid? Or Real Madrid left-back Gabriel Heinze, who tried to go to Anfield before Manchester United vetoed the move and sent him to Spain instead? Or Fernando Torres who grew up rooting for Real Madrid’s hated rivals, Atletico Madrid? Or àlvaro Arbeloa, who used to play for Real Madrid?
Indeed, this match should take on some Spanish flavor as many of the players on both sides are either Spanish internationals or have played for Spanish clubs. In the end, however, it could be a couple of non-Spaniards that decide who wins and who goes home.
For Liverpool, they’ll hope to have their captain and talismanic figure, Steven Gerrard, back from a strained hamstring. Gerrard has carried the load for Liverpool in Europe, scoring 5 goals for his club and making up for the lack of production from last year’s European ace Dirk Kuyt, Torres, and ex-Red Robbie Keane during the group stage.
For Real Madrid, their X-Factor could be Lassana Diarra, the former Pompey defensive midfielder who was put on the roster ahead of highly-rated striker, Huntelaar. Diarra was acquired, in part, to give Real Madrid another good holding midfielder for Europe, and whether he succeeds could go a long way towards determining if Real Madrid advance. His knowledge of Liverpool from his time at Arsenal, Chelsea, and Portsmouth, won’t hurt, either.
Basically, this is a match that will feature a high number of fascinating subplots. However, the on-the-pitch action should be even better as two of the most successful European teams of all time will do battle. Despite their respective struggles, both teams are in second place in their league and are in fine form domestically. Liverpool haven’t lost in the Premiership since November 1, and are only two points behind Manchester United for first place. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have some work to do if they want to catch Barcelona, but they’re unbeaten since December 13 in La Liga.
Both sides have proven goalscorers as Torres, Gerrard, and Kuyt will take on Gonzalo Higuaín (13 league goals), Raul (9 league goals), and the resurgent Arjen Robben (5 goals). Both sides have star-studded midfields as Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, and Albert Riera will match wits with the likes of Rafael Van der Vaart, Diarra, Wesley Sneijder, and Robben.
Liverpool’s defense may not get the headlines that the offense does, but they have workhorses in Jamie Carragher, Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Andrea Dossena, and Martin Skrtel. They’ll have to be on the top of their game, since Real Madrid’s defense is one of the best in the business with Pepe, Fabio Cannavaro, Gabriel Heinze, and Sergio Ramos holding down the back. And, of course, you have a matchup of goalkeppers as Iker Casillas will take on his Spanish national teammate and backup Pepe Reina.
Make no mistake about it, this could be the best matchup of the Round of 16. We should be in for a treat between these two footballing giants.
Back to all 16 teams in the 08-09 Champions League Second Round Preview.
Real Madrid v Liverpool – Live Blog
“Despite their respective struggles, both teams are in second place in their league and are in fine form domestically. Liverpool haven’t lost in the Premiership since November 1, and are only two points behind Manchester United for first place.”
Neatly disguises the fact that Liverpool’s season has collapsed in that time with a disasterous series of draws.
If that’s “fine form” then there’s little to worry about for the rest.
With the form that real madrid has been in recently this would seem like an easy win when comparing it to the horrific form of liverpool. im a real madrid fan but i expect that liverpool make it extremely tough.
real madrid 2-0 liverpool
Hey, say what you will, but Liverpool haven’t lost since November 1 (to Tottenham). They’re only 2 points back right now with Manchester United’s game in hand. A lot of clubs would kill to be in that position. You don’t think Chelsea would want that “form” right now? Arsenal?
Kuyt’s a proven goalscorer?!
When did that happen??
u guyz re nuts u think realmadrid can beat liverpool that would never HAPPEN they re unstoppable in europe competition
Another anti Liverpool fan….
And does get the goals…
2 points Victor. Firstly, winning the PL is all about winning games not about ‘not losing’ games. That’s what 3 points for a win was all about.
Secondly, position in the table does not define form. Liverpool are where they are because of their results up to mid-November. Since then they’ve drawn 7 of 12 and barely dug out a couple of those 5 wins. And they HAVE lost since then….to Everton in the FA Cup.
I’m a Los Blancos supporter and although Real will have a tough time we will win 3-1 with (Raul)(Arjen Robben)and (Sergio Ramos) my favorite player scoring as for Liverpool its going to be (torres).
6-1
kalau madrid menang 7-0
saya akan hijrah kesana tahun depan
BD Connell. I agree. I was trying to present things in a light most favorable to them. They don’t have much going for them, otherwise.
I still maintain that Chelsea and Arsenal would switch places with them, though.
I agree with tekle. Real Madrid have NOOOOOOOOOOO chance of beating the dragons. Real madrid are totally out of the race for la liga title this year. But Champions League, well they can forget about even coming to Bernabeau and playing liverpool, they don’t want to embaress their fans. But coming to Anfield, well I don’t think that Ramos will even put his best players on (well he has’nt even got them) because liverpool will own any team that nearly lost to the team that are bottom of la liga. Might aswell save money on the petrol. So Real Madrid is no match, and Man United are quite good and is going to be tough to overcome them in the league. But even know we are loosing points to teams that we should be beating we lost only 1 game in about 25 games. And by the way, i have tickets to watch madrid’s fans being owned at the bernabeau.
Only way liverpool can win is another one of there european “miracles” happens and by miracle I mean:
phantom goal(Chelsea 05′),questionable red cards (Inter Last year BOTH LEGS!)Babel diving (Arsenal last year) Perfectly good goals disallowed( Athletico Madrid group Stage)Gerrard Diving(Athetico Anfield) And another dumb penalty given to them (Fc Porto
If anything smiliar to any of these ridiculous things happened there better be a full investigation in liverpool and i will lead the patition to the F.A. . But if nothing funny happens expect Madrid to tear them apart like there last three trips to England. (Old trafford 00′,03′ and Highbury 06′) They didnt beat Aresnal but they manhandled them.
lierpool are the masters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!