Liverpool have proven to be all or nothing in the early stages of the Champions League since 2020, with none of their last 29 ‘group’ games ending in a draw.
Despite the Reds’ struggles this season, they have had seven different scorers in Europe this campaign, their most after three games since 1981/82 in the European Cup.
Virgil van Dijk (two), Hugo Ekitike, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson have all been on the scoresheet.
And as has been the theme this season, none of Liverpool’s last 29 group/league matches in UEFA competition has finished in a draw, since the 1-1 at Midtjylland in December 2020.
Mo has record in sight on 200th Anfield outing
Mo Salah will play his 200th game at Anfield for Liverpool; he currently has 137 goals at home for the club.
And the Egyptian needs two goals to become the first African to score 50 goals in the Champions League.
As for his record against Real Madrid, he has two goals in seven appearances as a Red – the joint-most alongside Steven Gerrard.
Time to improve record vs. Real Madrid
After winning each of the first three meetings with Real Madrid, Liverpool have won only one of the last nine – the 2-0 victory at Anfield last season.
Liverpool have been beaten by Real Madrid more times (seven) than they have by any other team in European competition – no other team has won more than three – and have conceded the most goals to them (17).
Their biggest ever victory over Real was the 4-0 Anfield success in the first knockout round in March 2009.
Suspension still looms for Bradley
Liverpool need two goals to record 500 as the home team in European competition, and they could record back-to-back wins and clean sheets for the first time since September.
Conor Bradley, meanwhile, will miss the home clash with PSV Eindhoven later this month if he is yellow carded in this match.
Mbappe is the danger man
Kylian Mbappe is this campaign’s joint-leading scorer in the Champions League with five, alongside Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane.
Mbappe has netted 60 times in 90 appearances in this competition and across all competitions this season, he has scored 18 times.
A victory tonight will see Real Madrid become the first team to defeat Liverpool 3 times in European competition at Anfield. Barcelona and Atalanta have also won twice.
This season’s scorers so far
Liverpool: Ekitike 6, Salah 5, Gakpo 4, Gravenberch 3, Chiesa 2, Szoboszlai 2, Van Dijk 2, Frimpong 1, Isak 1, Kerkez 1, Konate 1, Ngumoha 1, Robertson 1
Real Madrid: Mbappe 18, Vinicius Junior 5, Guler 3, Bellingham 3, Brahim Diaz 1, Camavinga 1, Carreras 1, Mastantuono 1, Militao 1
* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).
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