Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are out for revenge against Real Madrid as they host epic Champions League last-16 first leg at Anfield after losing last year’s final: Everything you need to know including start time, how to watch and team news
- Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool host Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight
- They last met in the Champions League final last year, with Madrid winning 1-0
- Liverpool come into the game off the back of a 2-0 win against Newcastle
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool host Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid in what promises to be a mouthwatering Champions League last-16 tie.
Both sides met in last season’s final in Paris – with Ancelotti’s Real Madrid winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Vinicius Jr.
The Reds have picked up some momentum in the league recently after a poor start despite spending over £120million in the summer and winter windows on the likes of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
Klopp’s men currently sit eighth in the league and are coming off a 2-0 win away to Newcastle – with Nunez and Gakpo scoring both goals – their second straight win after also beating rivals Everton 2-0.
Madrid, meanwhile, are looking to assert their dominance in Europe again as they switch their attentions from LaLiga, where they are currently eight points behind rivals Barcelona. The side recently won the Club World Cup and have won their last four matches.
Mohamed Salah will be looking to inspire Liverpool to victory tonight against Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are coming into the game off the back of a 2-0 away win against Osasuna
Ancelotti’s side scored two second-half goals to secure a 2-0 win away at Osasuna – with Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio netting for Madrid.
Sportsmail breaks down everything you need to know ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Madrid, including start time, TV channels and team news.
When is Liverpool vs Real Madrid?
Liverpool will face Madrid this evening (Tuesday, February 21), with kick-off getting underway at 8pm.
The last-16 showdown will take place at Anfield.
Fans of the Merseyside club will not be optimistic heading into this evening’s showdown – as the Reds’ last win against Madrid came in 2009.
Fernando Torres, a brace from Steven Gerrard and Andrea Dossena secured a famous 4-0 win at Anfield.
Since then, Liverpool have lost to them twice in the 2014-15 group stages before losing the 2018 Champions League final to them 3-1.
In the 2020-21 season they faced them in the quarter-finals, losing the first leg 3-1 before a 0-0 draw in the second leg – and then were finally beaten 1-0 in last year’s final.
How to watch
Liverpool’s clash with Madrid will be televised live on BT Sport 1, with coverage getting underway at 7pm.
The game will also be streamed live on BT Sport’s official app.
Tonight’s Champions League game between Liverpool and Madrid will take place at Anfield
Match highlights will be uploaded to BT Sport’s YouTube channel after the game.
Sportsmail will also be covering the game live, so you can keep up-to-date with all the latest developments here.
Team news
Darwin Nunez is hopeful of facing Madrid tonight. Klopp confirmed that the striker suffered a shoulder injury in the game against Newcastle.
Liverpool have started Fabinho, Stefan Bajcetic and Jordan Henderson in midfield in back-to-back Premier League games – and the trio are likely to feature from the off against the Champions League holders.
As for Ancelotti’s side, Aurelien Tchouameni will miss tonight’s game after withdrawing from the squad in their last game due to a virus.
Toni Kroos is also unavailable – with Dani Ceballos likely to start in midfield alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric.
Darwin Nunez is hoping to feature despite picking up an injury in Liverpool’s last league game
Real Madrid will be without key midfielder Toni Kroos for the game against Liverpool at Anfield
What’s been said?
With Liverpool hosting Madrid tonight, Klopp believes that the game has come at the perfect time – but says that his side must play at their best in order to win, while Madrid can play poorly yet still win.
‘I’m happy we can play now, four weeks ago it would have been different but it’s all about timing,’ Klopp said.
‘I would’ve expected us to be ourselves anyway because it’s a different competition.
‘Hopefully we can build on results but we need to play a super game to get through. If you don’t play your best you don’t have a chance. Madrid don’t have to play their best and still have a chance. That’s the difference.’
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