Liverpool have bottled it this time

Premier League champions Liverpool have set the bar so high for the last two years, and that is why on their low moments, their failures stand out massively. They look worse in positions most of their competitors would die to be in. Now they are faced with a massive task in the Champions League, against none other than the best ever team in the competition – Real Madrid – and with a very slim chance of coming out tops.

The Reds paid a heavy price for a slow start in the first leg of their quarter final clash against Real Madrid, ending up 3-1 losers in Spain and now they have all to do in the return leg at Anfield next week.

The loss came against a massively understrength Real Madrid side, with a make shift backline and a good look at Liverpool doesn’t give the picture they’d be able to turn this around. Well, they did turn around a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona two seasons ago but then they were a different side and the circumstances were even more favorable.

In their last outing before heading to Madrid, Liverpool had the easiest of outings, beating Arsenal 3-0 away. It was a good warm up for the Reds but Arsenal never really troubled them and going to Spain, they had a real test.

The two – goal deficit will be tough for Liverpool to turn around, majorly because of their form, but a poor run at home, playing without fans and injuries to the players who would make a difference will also be felt. This match will definitely be top of many bookmakers’ lists and Bet365, 1xBet, Marathon Bet and 888Sport some of the bookies listed on Wincomparator, already have significant betting offers available for new customers seeking to bet on this game.

Liverpool have managed just eight wins in their last 21 matches across all competitions; not the best run to carry to a game under pressure, and worse against Real Madrid and needing to score at least twice and win by two clear goals.

Also, the last time Liverpool won a game at Anfield was in December 2020, the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. It is eight straight matches since they last won there and they will be right to feel a little uncomfortable taking there a game of this magnitude. In their last home game in the Champions League, Liverpool beat RB Leipzig, but that was in Budapest, at the Puskas Arena so the task here is daunting.

The last time Liverpool staged a great comeback was against Barcelona in 2019, after losing 3-0 in Spain in the first leg. A 4-0 win saw the Reds head to the final in Madrid. This time, their ever vocal fans will not be there to push them, like it was the case then.

The biggest issue at Liverpool this season has been injuries to key players and the Reds’ underbelly has been badly exposed, to an extent they are struggling to even get to the top four in the Premier League. It won’t be any easier in the return leg against Real Madrid, who are struggling with their own injuries but on the evidence of Liverpool’s recent form, much of the odds will be on Real to advance.