Real Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Result and reaction as Reds crash out of Champions League
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (6-2 agg): Jurgen Klopp’s men failed to overcome a three-goal deficit from the first leg
Liverpool’s impossible job against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu proved exactly that as there was no dramatic comeback and a 1-0 defeat saw them exit the Champions League without much of a fight.
All the damage had been done in the first leg but even with a 5-2 deficit there remained the romantic notion among the die-hards and dreamers that Jurgen Klopp’s side could fashion a performance to rival that of Istanbul 2005 or Anfield 2019 against Barcelona.
Klopp gave his side a one per cent chance ahead of the game but had it not been for the brilliance of goalkeeper Alisson Becker all hope would have been extinguished in the opening quarter.
This was the 14-time winners’ 300th Champions League match and all that experience showed with a balanced and controlled display of sharp attacking and tidy defending capped by a goal from their long-time nemesis Karim Benzema. However, it may be Liverpool’s last in the competition for a while unless they can iron out wild inconsistencies in their domestic form.
Relive the action as Liverpool exit the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid:
What is the early team news?
Real are missing left-sided defensive pair David Alaba and Ferland Mendy, but aside from them it should be a fully fit squad for Carlo Ancelotti to choose from. Rodryo will hope to start in attack, which would see Federico Valverde in midfield again as was the case in the first leg.
Liverpool have been handed a late fitness blow with both Jordan Henderson and Stefan Bajectic ruled out of the trip to Madrid due to illness and injury respectively. Liverpool are still missing Luis Diaz and Thiago from their strongest potential line-up, while Joe Gomez and Naby Keita are also likely missing out.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Liverpool
The match kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 15 March 2023 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This fixture will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. Subscribers can stream the match via the BT Sport app and desktop website.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Liverpool hope to cause an upset and knock Real Madrid out of Europe’s top competition.
Jurgen Klopp has given the Reds a 1% chance of reaching the quarter-finals but also backed them to try and achieve it after they lost the first leg 5-2 at Anfield.
That means Liverpool must score three times without reply to force extra-time and potentially penalties or four times without reply to make it through within the 90 minutes.
Can they achieve this spectacular dream or is it just a fantasy?
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