ANFIELD HOSTS THE European champions tonight as Liverpool clash with Real Madrid in a Champions League group game.
It is five years since the two clubs last faced off when the Reds, under the guidance of Rafa Benitez, claimed a 4-0 victory at home to progress to the quarter-finals of Europe’s top club competition.
A Yossi Benayoun goal had given Liverpool a 1-0 advantage going into the last 16 second leg and the excellent Fernando Torres, who was a threat all night, doubled that cushion 16 minutes in — turning Dirk Kuyt’s pass home after a mistake by Fabio Cannavaro and Pepe to score against his former Madrid rivals.
Ex-Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze conceded a penalty by handling the ball to allow Steven Gerrard the opportunity to score from the penalty spot just before the half-hour mark and the Liverpool captain then added another by firing past Iker Casillas from Ryan Babel’s cross two minutes into the second half.
On a miserable night for Juande Ramos’ side, Andrea Dossena got in on the act when Javier Mascherano picked out the Italian full-back minutes before full-time.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Alonso (Lucas 60), Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (Spearing 74), Babel, Torres (Dossena 83).
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro (Van der Vaart 64), Pepe, Heinze, Robben (Marcelo 46), Lassana Diarra, Gago (Guti 77), Sneijder, Raul, Higuain.
Watch the goals:
