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[VIDEO] Liverpool vs Real Madrid highlights: Champions League scores, blog

22nd October, 2014
Kickoff: 05:45am AEDST, Thursday October 23 2014
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Head to Head: Played 3, Liverpool 3 wins
Last Meeting: Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (10/03/2009 – 2008/09 UEFA Champions League – Anfield)
Betting: Liverpool $4.33, Draw $3.80, Real Madrid $1.80
Cristiano Ronaldo is key when his side take on Bayern Munich. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Roar Guru
22nd October, 2014
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6923 Reads

MATCH RESULT:

It is the result we were expecting, but painful all the same for those at Anfield. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring and thereby secured Real Madrid’s first ever goal against .

Karim Benzema followed with a double that combined poaching instincts and pathetic defending.

In the second half, the substitution of Adam Lallana for Mario Balotelli immediately gave Liverpool additional thrust in the final third.

In truth, Liverpool could have and should have scored at least one goal, but Real Madrid were comfortable throughout, even in the hostile furnace that is Anfield.

FINAL SCORE:
Real Madrid 3
Liverpool 0

MATCH PREVIEW:

It’s a meeting of footballing royalty as five-time winners Liverpool host 10-time and current champions Real Madrid in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30am (AEDT).

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For a club whose name is firmly entrenched in the history books, Real Madrid dare not relive their previous outing at Anfield. It’s been more than five years since the Steven Gerrard-led Reds dismantled Los Blancos 4-0 in their second-round fixture.

Admittedly, Liverpool caught Real Madrid at one of their weakest points in recent history, while the Reds were riding the crest of a wave under former manager Rafa Benitez.

Much has changed since. While Real Madrid have continued the momentum gained from winning their unprecedented 10th crown last May, Liverpool have crashed to mediocrity following their failed Premier League title challenge last season.

Forget that Real Madrid have indeed never scored against Liverpool – the question is how many the visitors can smash past a hopelessly out-of-sync Reds’ defence.

Much of the early season malaise for Liverpool can be chalked down to two figures, one who now calls Barcelona home. If the departure of Luis Suarez wasn’t bad enough, then the sight of his replacement Mario Balotelli bumbling along statue busker proportions will now seriously wear thin even among the most chauvinistic Red.

Gone is the high-octane energy of the Uruguayan that drove a relentless barrage of pressure towards opposition defences. Furthering Brendan Rodgers’ woes is the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge, who suffered a fresh injury midweek.

Never was Liverpool’s lack of fluency more evident than in their weekend clash against Queens Park Rangers, where two own-goals were needed to overcome a team firmly in relegation contention.

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If positives are to be drawn, then the sight of the diminutive Raheem Sterling must be central to Liverpool overcoming the odds and keeping their proud record against Real Madrid alive. Playing at home, and alongside Adam Lallana and the tireless Jordan Henderson, Liverpool will have opportunities to pose questions against Real Madrid.

Rodgers will likely revert Gerrard back in a defensive role, or turn to Brazilian Lucas Leiva to keep Real Madrid’s assortment of Galacticos quiet. But the real question will be whether Rodgers continues to persist with the maligned Balotelli, or if he decides to hedge his bets on the energy of Fabio Borini or the experience of Rickie Lambert.

No such concerns for Carlo Ancelotti, whose troubles usually involve who to leave out. His selection headaches may be somewhat be forcibly solved should Gareth Bale be not fit to play an English club for the first time since his move to the Spanish capital two summers ago.

Looming large though is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is already public enemy number one in the red parts of Merseyside due to his Manchester United history. Further to that, the Portuguese has amassed 15 goals in seven appearances this season – only two less than Liverpool have scored in all competitions.

Greater tests than Liverpool will await Real Madrid, but one aspect of their play that may be tested by the Reds is their ability to control midfield against stronger opposition. The summer departure of Xabi Alonso, he of both Liverpool and Real Madrid past, continues to be a question that may haunt Ancelotti should Los Blancos not compete against teams of European pedigree. But it is difficult to speculate about possible weaknesses, such is the abundant strength of Real Madrid.

The Anfield factor may play a role in helping Liverpool gain resolve – so large has the hunger been for European nights of this magnitude in these parts. But no Reds fan ever wanted their team to face the defending champions in the position where anything but a severe defeat will solicit surprise.

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