20:42
There was good news for both coaches at short notice: Jürgen Klopp can fall back on the strengthened Darwin Núñez, who was substituted off at the weekend due to injury. The Uruguayan strikes alongside Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo. Toni Kroos is now on board at Real. Most recently, the 33-year-old was absent due to a flu infection and is at least back on the bench.
20:33
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was also optimistic beforehand: “We are in good shape, have hope and desire to do well – just like last season, considering that it is a very difficult knockout stage. The 63-year-old expects an “intense game with a lot of pressure. A game where you don’t have time to catch your breath. They put pressure, pressure, pressure. We know that and are prepared for it.”
20:25
The Reds got going again just in time for the Champions League bang. Two comfortable victories against Everton (2-0) and Newcastle (2-0) gave Liverpool new self-confidence and the English now want to build on that. “We have to play two great games to progress. Madrid don’t need to play much and still have a chance. They’re always strong, super competitive, and pretty damn hard to beat. But it makes perfect sense to try anyway,” said coach Jürgen Klopp.
20:16
But even the royals are not free of worries at the moment. Real have failed in three of their seven league games since the turn of the year, putting them eight points behind arch-rivals Barcelona. But: It has been known since last season at the latest that there is probably no other team that acts as ripped off on the European stage as the Madrilenians. It was often last-minute goals or short outstanding phases that kept the Spaniards afloat.
20:08
Liverpool dominated the Paris 2022 final but despaired of Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and ended up losing 1-0. The Madrillas celebrated their 14th title win. This year, too, both clubs marched effortlessly through the group phase and are once again striving for the greatest possible success. However, especially for the Reds, who are lagging behind their own standards in the Premier League, it is the only way to add some shine to this messed-up season.
20:00
Have a wonderful good evening and welcome to the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League! In the direct duel of last year’s finalists, Real Madrid is a guest at Liverpool FC. Kick-off at the legendary Anfield Road is at 9 p.m.