Liverpool vs Real Madrid: The Best Champions League Moments of the Past Decade

The European giants are prepping for their 10th battle on Europe’s biggest stage in the last 10 years.

Mohamed Salah (left) and Vinícius Júnior have shared some classic battles over the years. / Michael Regan/Getty Images, Mateo Villalba/Getty Images

Real Madrid and Liverpool have met nine times in the Champions League over the last decade and the matchup has delivered some of the most memorable moments in the tournament’s history.

When two of the biggest clubs in the world clash in the Champions League, the headlines practically write themselves, especially when the clubs are Real Madrid and Liverpool. The two sides have a habit of meeting on Europe’s biggest stage, but the results have gone in Real Madrid’s favor in recent years.

In fact, Los Blancos defeated Liverpool in seven of their last nine European fixtures, including victories in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals. The Reds, though, finally claimed victory against the Spanish giants last season, ending their poor string of results in the mouthwatering matchup.

The European giants are once again set to meet in the Champions League league phase this season. The upcoming fixture promises to add more highlights to the developing rivalry, with Trent Alexander-Arnold now wearing white.

No matter what happens at Anfield, though, it will be hard to top the matchup’s most iconic moments.

FREE NEWSLETTER. New SI FC Newsletter Global Embed. Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC. dark

---

4. Real Madrid Score Five at Anfield

After failing to find a victory in their last six Champions League matches against Real Madrid, Liverpool were hungry for revenge against the reigning European champions when they met at Anfield in the 2022–23 round of 16.

Jürgen Klopp’s side got off to a flying start, going up 2–0 in the first 15 minutes thanks to goals from Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah. The Reds had several opportunities to add to their lead in the first half, but instead, it was Vinícius Júnior who bagged a brace, bringing Real Madrid back level before heading down the tunnel.

What unfolded in the second half of the match still seems improbable given how end-to-end the first 45 minutes were. Los Blancos came back onto the pitch and buried three more goals by the 67th minute, stunning Anfield into silence.

Éder Militão’s winner would have been enough to give his squad the edge heading into the second leg of the tie, but Karim Benzema’s brace effectively punched Real Madrid’s ticket to the quarterfinals before both teams even set foot in the Santiago Bernabéu.

---

3. Liverpool Finally Enact Their Revenge

After years of woes against Real Madrid, the pressure was on Liverpool to deliver a statement against the then-defending European champions at Anfield. Although the clash was not a knockout match, it still had the feel of a major European night, one that pitted two of football’s best against one another.

All eyes were on Kylian Mbappé in his debut campaign in a white shirt, yet the stars in red quickly stole the show. Liverpool applied relentless pressure from the opening whistle and Los Blancos simply could only contain Arne Slot’s men for so long.

A right-footed strike from Alexis Mac Allister eventually sent the crowd at Anfield to its feet in the 52nd minute. Thibaut Courtois, who had played hero in the first half, could not deny the in-form midfielder.

Mbappé had a chance to bring the game level from the spot, but the Frenchman failed to convert from 12 yards out. Salah went on to miss his own penalty kick, but Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a clinical header from close range, delivering Liverpool’s long-awaited glory against Real Madrid.

---

2. Vinícius Júnior Claims Champions League Glory

Los Blancos met Liverpool in the Champions League final for the second time in four years in 2022. Yet this time when the final whistle sounded, only Vinícius Júnior’s name was on the scoresheet. In a primarily defensive, cagey battle, the Brazilian found the breakthrough for his side in the 59th minute after a brilliant run and delivery from Fede Valverde.

At just 21 years old, Vinícius Júnior announced himself on the world stage with his winner against Liverpool, giving Madridistas their first European title since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The goal itself might lack the brilliance of past winners for Real Madrid, but it added the club’s 14th European title to its trophy cabinet, securing Vinícius Júnior’s spot in both Los Blancos and the Champions League’s storied histories.

---

1. Gareth Bale Buries Sensational Bicycle Kick

The best moment to come out of the recent Real Madrid vs. Liverpool fixtures is without a doubt Gareth Bale’s bicycle kick in the 2018 Champions League final. The Welshman came on as a substitute in the second half and then scored arguably the best Champions League final goal of all time just three minutes later.

Marcelo played in a lofty cross from the left flank that had Bale turning in the box to meet in the air with his weaker foot. As he went to ground, the forward sent a spectacular overhead kick past Loris Karius to give his side the 2–1 lead.

The goal would go on to live in infamy, and not just for its quality; Bale’s bicycle kick won the game for Los Blancos, making them the only side in the competition’s history to secure three Champions League titles in three consecutive years.

---

READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS AND PLAYER RATINGS

feed