GRIN AND SHARE IT
Modric admits: Real and Reds in same domestic doldrums
LUKA MODRIC reckons his Real Madrid side have something in common with Liverpool as they face each other in the Champions League on Wednesday – a miserable season back home.
Real arrive at Anfield ready to add to Liverpool’s misery, with Jurgen Klopp’s side starting the weekend in ninth place in the Premier League, 19 points adrift of top spot.
But there’s no chance of former Spurs man Modric mocking his opponents, because Real find themselves eight points adrift of deadly rivals Barcelona in La Liga. Second place in Spain may not sound a disaster but for the newly crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions it’s still an embarrassment. Especially as they lost the Spanish Super Cup Final to Barca – and recently suffered a shock defeat at Mallorca in the league, too. Modric said: “I am really surprised that Liverpool are so far from the first place in the Premier League, but they can also say the same about us at the moment in La Liga. So, I’m not saying anything!
“Seeing the Liverpool squad, we know that at any time they can react and start to come back in the season. I hope it won’t be in these two Champions League games against us but we have to be ready. Despite our league seasons, a Liverpool
Real match is one of the best shows that the world of football can offer. It’s a shame that the draw has led to us playing so early in the competition because it would have been a great final.”
Injuries have been part of the problem for Real back home, and Liverpool have suffered without key players too – especially in defence.
But after Real clinched the FIFA Club World Cup and Liverpool turned on the style at last to win the Merseyside derby last week, Modric says there are no excuses when the sides face up at Anfield in the first leg of a last-16 tie.
Impact
He said: “It is normal that absences due to injuries have an impact on matches. But that’s not really an excuse for Liverpool or Real. We have the players to fight for trophies and titles and we’ll both believe we can do it.
I’m surprised Liverpool are so far from first place in the Premier League but they can say the same about us at the moment in La Liga!
“Everyone is saying that both teams are not going through a good moment, of course, but there is a lot of the season left to play.”
When it comes to the Champions League, domestic form rarely counts for anything. Modric added: “In terms of this first leg I think defences could be the key. I don’t see a lot of goals in the match. It will probably be two very even matches, but I see Real as favourites and we’ll go to Anfield looking for a victory.”
There is history between the two clubs. Real beat Liverpool in last season’s Champions League final in Paris and also in the 2018 final when Sergio Ramos’s challenge on Mo Salah left the Liverpool man with a dislocated shoulder.
“I understand that Liverpool will probably be seeking a sporting revenge against us,” admitted Modric.
“It is normal after the last results in Europe between the two. We believe we will go through.”