Liverpool’s meetings with Real

May 27 1981 – European Cup final, Liverpool 1 Real Madrid 0

Liverpool were appearing in their third European Cup final in five years having won in 1977 and 78 – and made it five successes in a row for English sides with a 1-0 victory thanks to an 82nd minute goal by Alan Kennedy.

February 25 2009 – Champions League last 16, Real Madrid 0 Liverpool 1

Rafael Benitez enjoyed one of his better nights as Liverpool boss when he masterminded victory at the Bernabeu despite the absence from the starting XI of Steven Gerrard through injury. Yossi Benayoun was the man to benefit and it was he who scored the late winner, heading in Fabio Aurelio’s cross.

March 10 2009 – Champions League last 16, Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0

If the Bernabeu was good, the return leg at Anfield was a dream for Liverpool, who romped through to the quarter-finals. Fitagain Gerrard scored twice, while former Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres and Andrea Dossena also scored.

October 22 2014 – Champions League group stage, Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3

The tables were turned when Real visited Anfield five years later as European champions. Liverpool were back in the Champions League after an absence of four seasons and the gulf was clear.

November 4 2014 – Champions League group stage, Real Madrid 1 Liverpool 0

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers rested key players like Gerrard and Raheem Sterling, prioritising a league clash with Chelsea as they lost to a Karim Benzema goal.