The 2018 Champions League final on Saturday will be the sixth meeting between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
The Reds currently hold a 3-2 advantage but lost both their two most recent clashes four seasons ago.
Here’s a look at the previous encounters.
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 looking to make it five successes in a row for English sides following Nottingham Forest’s back-to-back triumphs. Real’s European dominance was an increasingly distant memory and they were unable to reclaim the title. Liverpool were the better side and finally made the breakthrough in the 82nd minute through Alan Kennedy, making Bob Paisley the first manager to win the cup three times.
Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish, and Alan Hansen after the 1981 final.
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.
Benayoun gave Liverpool a famous win at the Bernabeu.
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. Fit-again Gerrard scored twice, while former Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres was instrumental in a dominant attacking performance and netted the opener, with Andrea Dossena adding a late fourth. But Liverpool’s run ended in the last eight at the hands of Chelsea.
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. Real were three up by half-time through Cristiano Ronaldo and a brace from Karim Benzema and a Liverpool comeback never looked on the cards.
Ronaldo was all over Liverpool.
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, but his makeshift side acquitted themselves well, conceding only one goal, scored by Benzema. The campaign ended in disappointment, though, as Liverpool failed to make it beyond the group stage.
Those were happier days for Benzema.
