Liverpool vs Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League | Knock-out Phase | Last 16 | Second Leg | Preview
Liverpool and Real Madrid will clash at Anfield tonight at 20:45 CET. It’s a must win situation for the Whites if they are to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.
The time has come. Anfield is getting ready to greet a very special guest: Real Madrid. The Whites will try to score goals as soon as the game starts, looking for Liverpool’s first home defeat of the season. Despite the 1-0 defeat in Madrid and Steven Gerrard’s presence, the Madridistas will pull rank to reach the next round.
Pepe will return to the defensive line; Gago and Lass will have to face Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Mascherano in midfield; Robben will take on the right wing; and Higuain and Raul will try to drive the local defence crazy in their search for goals. Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun, who scored the strike at the Bernabeu, will miss the game due to an injury. Fabio Aurelio will take his place. Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger will also miss the match, and Skrtel may take Arbeola’s position as right back.
The Reds have only won two of their 12 home European games against Spanish sides. If anyone can pull off a comeback at Anfield, that’s Real Madrid.
Pepe, Sneijder, Torres and Saviola on the list
Pepe, Sneijder, Torres and Saviola return to Juande’s squad list for Tuesday’s 20:45 CET match in Liverpool. Salgado, Drenthe, Garcia, Parejo and Huntelaar will mis the clash due to coaching decisions.
SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Codina, Dudek;
Defenders: Ramos, Torres, Pepe, Cannavaro, Metzelder, Heinze;
Midfielders: Gago, Lass, Guti, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Marcelo, Robben, Faubert;
Forwards: Raul, Saviola, Higuain;
First Leg Result: Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool (Benayoun 83′).
Casillas to EFE
Just like all his teammates, Iker Casillas is convinced Real Madrid have what it takes to turn the tie around and eliminate Liverpool.
We know it’s an important match because it’s do or die. We need to go out there to win.
I admire their order, positioning and dedication. They are a solid team. Each line of theirs works very hard, but what I admire most is their discipline.
If I could take one player out it would be Steven Gerrard, but he didn’t really play in the Santiago Bernabeu and Liverpool were fine. I wouldn’t mind taking players like Xabi Alonso or Mascherano out either.
We’ve recovered a little dominance in Spain, but in Europe we’re not performing as we should be. We need a little help on all levels, including luck.
You hear a lot of stuff, but you don’t feel it until you actually experience it. They say English fans are well-behaved, and I experienced it in Manchester and Leeds, but Anfield is special. We hope we’re lucky and get to see for ourselves. I am very motivated and hope we are able to win. Any victory will see us through except a 1-0 which means overtime.
Sneijder to The Telegraph
Wesley Sneijder sat down with Dutch newspaper The Telegraph and commented on the importance of Tuesday’s clash against Liverpool.
Is the team capable of winning at Andfield?
If Liverpool managed to win at the Santiago Bernabeu, then we are able to win in a stadium as legendary as Anfield.
What are the keys to defeating Liverpool?
We must be motivated and cautious on defense. We cannot make any mistakes because they will cost us dearly at this stage. It’s all or nothing. It will be a great match and there will be an amazing atmosphere.
How do you feel physically-speaking?
I feel much better and hope to help the team in any way I can.
Do you think you will start?
I personally think so, but I am not completely sure. Whoever starts will do everything he can to help the team. We’re a group and we all have the same objective: making it through to the next round.
It should be a nice reunion for you, Babel and Kuyt.
It’s great to see them again, although beating them would be even better.
Raul press conference
Raul offered the traditional pre-match player press conference 24 hours before Real Madrid kick off against Liverpool.
It’s time to turn it around against Liverpool at Anfield.
It’s a huge match and we are excited and anxious to play. It will be an historic day. We’ve lost in the Last 16 in recent years so we hope this time it’s different. It will be tough because Liverpool hold the upper hand, but we’ll play as well as we can and do whatever it takes.
Your family will be in attendance.
It’s a special match and some family members came along. I am happy to be surrounded by loved ones. There will also be 3000 Madridistas at Anfield and millions watching the match. We hope to play as well as is expected of us.
Benitez said the Anfield atmosphere should be a factor.
We hope that it plays a positive roll for us. I have had the pleasure of seeing a match here as a fan and the atmosphere is spectacular. Tomorrow I hope and believe that the atmosphere will help bring out the best in us. I have faith in the team.
What would scoring here mean to you?
It would be very important, and because we need at least two goals to go through, it would mean we are closer to our goal. All that matters is that the team scores and makes it through to the next round. If I can score, great. If not, hopefully someone else will.
Does this tie remind you of the one nine years ago against Manchester?
They are completely different ties. That day we managed to seal a great win at Manchester. Now we must overcome the adversity and all that we can do is play to score and win. That’s the team’s intention.
Are you prepared emotionally should Liverpool score first?
We are ready to play the match whether it lasts 90 or 120 minutes and to overcome all adversity. A goal by Liverpool won’t change our intentions as long as it’s not in the 85th minute. We must be calm and patient. We have options to make it difficult for them.
Gerrard played for two minutes in the first leg. How might he influence the match if he plays its entirety?
He’s a great player. He will definitely help his team out. I hope the best players are on the pitch and that we see a great match.
Juande Ramos press conference
Juande Ramos answered questions from the press at Anfield moments prior to conducting the final training session.
How would you describe Tuesday’s match against Liverpool?
The match requires tension and motivation. It will be huge for us and our fans if we’re able to turn the score around. It will be a passionate and very level match. Either team can win.
Will Gago play an important role?
Gago has performed very well in balancing the team. He and Lass have been essential during our streak of positive results.
Are you convinced that you can make it through?
We’re halfway through the tie and our goal is to turn the situation around. The team must be convinced it can win at Anfield. We must play our hearts out and leave England with a win. Just like they won in Madrid, we must win here. We believe in our chances.
Are you worried that Torres might play?
Not too much because I cannot control Liverpool’s lineup. They have a great squad, but their style is based on teamwork and not individuals.
This could be five straight Last 16 appearances without qualifying for the quarterfinals.
You’re up against great teams at this point. We hope to end the streak and win the tie. We must play our very best on such occasions. The players want to prove they are capable of turning the tie around and making it through.
Do you have a clear idea of who will be in the starting eleven?
The 20 players who made the trip are ready to play and hope to be picked. No matter who plays, his goal is to help Real Madrid. Everyone is anxious to participate.
Is a victory important in terms of your contract extension?
I have three or four more months on my contract and I am calm.
How would you describe the match?
Two historic teams are meeting. It will be a very level match between two of Europe’s most important teams. Unfortunately, one has to go home. We will do everything we can to ensure it’s not Real Madrid.
Raul to The Times
Raul believes Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo would be ‘accepted’ if he moved to the Bernabeu, while also admitting he has never been tempted to move to England himself.
CRISTIANO RONALDO:
I believe that if Cristiano Ronaldo came here, he’d be accepted. People who have played with him say he’s a good lad. Those who I’ve spoken to who know him say he’s a really hard worker and a good person. In theory there’s no reason why he’d break the harmony in the dressing-room.
We’ve had lots of the biggest names in the game here, (former Brazil striker) Ronaldo, (Zinedine) Zidane, (David) Beckham, yet they all integrated, they won over their team-mates, the fans, the media. I don’t know Cristiano, but I trust the people who know him well.
PLAYING IN ENGLAND:
If had you asked me what football I would love to experience, I’d say England. But I feel so well here, at home. A few years ago, Chelsea spoke to my representatives, but at that time all I wanted was to stay here.
I love the Premier League, it is very dynamic, very passionate. It’s more interesting now with all of the Spanish players that have gone there and enjoyed such great success.
LIVERPOOL:
I hope the home crowd has an influence on us, I have been here as a fan, and it is a spectacular atmosphere. We are looking forward very much to playing on such a stage, and hope we can find that sort of inspiration from the noise and atmosphere.
THE 3-2 AT OLD TRAFFORD NINE YEARS AGO:
It is a different stadium and a different occasion, but that was a great achievement and it would be nice to do the same here to qualify for the last eight.
And we will not be too concerned if Liverpool score early, because we could still go through with a 2-1 win. But we do not want it to be goalless until the last few minutes, and then for them to score.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak