Courtois: “Liverpool will be really up for this”

The Real Madrid goalkeeper has warned that the Reds will be extra motivated in Wednesday's match at Anfield.

The Real Madrid team landed in Liverpool this afternoon, ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match at Anfield.

Arne Slot's team is the only team to have a 100 percent record after the first four matches and top the table with 12 points as one of the five teams not defeated.

A world away from the position Madrid find themselves in: far down the table in 20th place with six points after defeats to Lille and AC Milan.

After virtually avoiding each other for almost three decades, meetings between these two greats of European football have become increasingly frequent in recent years.

Since the memorable Last 16 match of 2008/9, Liverpool and Real Madrid have met three times in the group stage or knockout round and twice in the final.

Madrid have won their last three games against Liverpool

The Spanish giants, the last team to lift the trophy under the old format and the team with by far the most titles (15), have the edge in the head-to-head statistics with seven wins to Liverpool's three, while one meeting is tied ended. .

So Carlo Ancelotti's team will be fully aware of what to expect when they take the pitch at Anfield, even if the attendance will be much higher than the last time they played there. Following the redevelopment of the Anfield Road end (where Madrid's traveling supporters will be), the stadium can now accommodate just over 60,000 spectators.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also had a good idea of ​​what awaited him, with Liverpool hitting his target in the 2022 final in Paris, firing 24 shots at him. But Klopp's men could not get past the Belgian, his six saves crucial to Los Blancos' victory.

Courtois referred to that match when looking ahead to tomorrow's match with Real Madrid Play.

Liverpool with the same dynamics under Slot

“It's clear that playing at Anfield is a plus for them. I'm sure they will be really up for this to get one back for the loss of the final in Paris and the defeat of the Last 16 in 2023. will want to take revenge, but I hope we can overcome them and win,” said the goalkeeper.

“After many years under Klopp, Liverpool has a new manager. Now with Arne Slot they are a very dynamic, attacking team with the same qualities as before. Constant pressing, a lot of attacks, good counters and lightning fast up front. As for us, we will find a way need to find ways to neutralize their strength,” Courtois added, before naming the player Madrid should keep an eye on.

“Salah, he has always been a special player. I think he is the one who makes the difference in that team. He is a very attacking player, he is extremely good. We will have to keep an eye on him,” he concluded.