Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates
(Getty)
Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the first leg of the teams’ Champions League quarter-final this evening.
In a rematch of the 2018 final – won by Madrid – the two European giants will go head-to-head for a place in the final four, with tonight’s game taking place at Real’s training-ground pitch while the Santiago Bernabeu is under reconstruction. Liverpool, who were last season eliminated by another team from the Spanish capital in Atletico Madrid, will look to pick up crucial away goals here, buoyed by their fine 3-0 Premier League victory over Arsenal at the weekend.
Diogo Jota netted a brace in that match, with Mohamed Salah also getting on the scoresheet as the Reds earned a third straight win. Meanwhile, Real Madrid extended their unbeaten run to 11 games as they defeated relegation-threatened Eibar 2-0, courtesy of goals from Karim Benzema and Marcos Asensio. Benzema’s strike marked his 24th goal of the season – with five of those having come in the Champions League – and Liverpool’s weakened back line will certainly have to beware the former France international this evening. Follow live updates from the Champions League quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Liverpool below.
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REAL MADRID 2 – 1 LIVERPOOL
57 mins: Thiago’s involvement has had an impact on Liverpool. They’re moving the ball quicker and pressing further up the pitch. Thiago tries to win the ball off Asensio but arrives too late and takes out the man resulting in a yellow card for the midfielder.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 21:15
REAL MADRID 2 – 1 LIVERPOOL
54 mins: Real Madrid respond with Kroos sending Mendy free down the left wing. His cross does for Alisson who came out to claim the ball but luckily Robertson is backing up the goalkeeper and heads the ball out for a corner.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 21:13
REAL MADRID 2 – 1 LIVERPOOL – SALAH
51 mins: GOAL! Lovely, quick stuff from Liverpool. Alisson to Alexander-Arnold up to Wijnaldum. He comes inside and lays the ball to Jota. Salah darts into the box from the right as the pass comes into him. Salah takes a touch and then firs it past Courtois to give Liverpool an away goal.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 21:09
REAL MADRID 2 – 0 LIVERPOOL
48 mins: Lucas Vazquez hacks Diogo Jota to the ground on the left wing. Liverpool have started the second half positively. Robertson’s free kick comes into the area where Casemiro heads it out for a throw in.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 21:08
REAL MADRID 2 – 0 LIVERPOOL
Second half: Liverpool get the match back underway. They could do with an away goal to take back to Anfield. Surely they can’t play as woeful as they did in the first 45 minutes.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 21:04
Michael Jones6 April 2021 20:59
This is only the third time Liverpool have conceded more than once in a first half this season.
The others were the 4-3 win over Leeds on the opening day and their 7-2 defeat at Aston Villa.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 20:55
Michael Jones6 April 2021 20:51
REAL MADRID 2 – 0 LIVERPOOL
45+1 mins: Half time. Jurgen Klopp will be getting the hairdryer ready. Liverpool have made so many unforced errors in this half the manager must be tearing his hair out. The visitors haven’t had a single shot at goal. Total domination from Real Madrid, they lead by two goals to nil.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 20:47
REAL MADRID 2 – 0 LIVERPOOL
45 mins: Liverpool win a free kick in Real’s half. Alexander-Arnold swings it into the box but the pass goes just over Mane’s head. Also in the box Phillips and Casemiro come together with the Real midfielder winning the decision.
Michael Jones6 April 2021 20:45
