John Aldridge looks ahead to tomorrow’s Champions League meeting with Real Madrid in part two of his weekly Liverpool column
Éder Militão of Real Madrid celebrates with team mate Luka Modric
We have an almighty task on our hands to turn around a three-goal deficit against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
I would certainly fancy us to give it a right good go if the game was at Anfield, when we have the crowd roaring us on under the lights, but the fact this is away from home has reduced my hopes. We have completed famous comebacks against AC Milan and Barcelona, but I think this will be one step too far.
Stranger things have happened, but we would have to play like we did recently against Manchester United to have any sort of chance. Don’t forget the referees don’t give much away at the Bernabeu, too, I have played there a few times and know what the score is.
If Liverpool were to get an early goal, Real could get a bit tetchy and it would then make for an interesting game. Our chances also depend on how Madrid approach the game. Will they look to get a goal to take any nerves away or soak up the pressure and sit back? We will have to wait and see how Carlo Ancelotti sets them up on the night.
I was involved in the 1989 First Division title decider on the final day of the season against Arsenal, which they had to win by at least two goals to become champions. We took the reserved approach and got stung by it, losing 2-0. That ended up costing us the league, so I’m intrigued to see which way Madrid will go.
