Real Madrid – A ‘frightening’ prospect for Liverpool?

By: Stephen | February 14th, 2009

When the draw for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League was made back in December, I am sure Rafa Benitez and everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club would have been desperate for a more favourable draw than Real Madrid.

The likes of Sporting Lisbon and Villarreal may, on paper, have represented a somewhat safer passage into the quarter-finals of Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Although the inevitability of it all was that the legendary Bruno Conti was serving up some scintillating Round of 16 ties and Liverpool versus Real Madrid most certainly falls into that category.

With the abundance of talent throughout the Real Madrid squad, is it fair to say that Liverpool are quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing the rejuvenated La Liga giants? Well if you believe their Dutch attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart then that may certainly be the case. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca, the former Hamburg star revealed:

“We’re Real Madrid, which is why I think Liverpool are frightened of us. We have great players. It’s going to be a great tie.

“The team is working hard to be in perfect shape. We’re anxious to do well in Europe, and if we end up as champions I will be capable of anything. I will do anything to win the Champions League.”

You can’t question the Dutchman’s passion and desire and it is also difficult to argue with his assessment that Real have great players. The likes of Casillas, Sneijder, Sergio Ramos and Robben are all world class international footballers who most definitely have the ability to make life difficult for the Merseysiders.

Despite a relatively woeful start to the league campaign in Spain this season, Real Madrid have been through something of a revival since former Sevilla and Tottenham manager Juande Ramos took over the managerial reins. Los Merengues may still be some distance behind leaders Barcelona at the top of La Liga, but they have shown great resilience in recent weeks having strung together seven straight victories.

Even that often ridiculed Real Madrid defence have been in inspired form having only conceded one goal since the 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in December and there is no escaping the fact that Benitez will need all his tactical knowhow to ensure Liverpool are in the hat when the draw for the quarter-finals is made.

Going back to van der Vaart’s quite potent comments, the Dutch ace is spot on by saying we are certainly set to witness a fantastic tie but would you agree that the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are having sleepless nights at the thought of doing battle with the mighty Real Madrid?

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Category: Champions League

Tags: Casillas, Champions League, Fernando Torres, Juande Ramos, Liverpool, Rafael Benitez, Rafael Van der Vaart, Real Madrid, Robben, Sergio Ramos, Sneijder, Steven Gerrard

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Comments  

• Marlon |  February 14th, 2009 at 6:42 am

  
  
  

  I think Van der Vaart may be forgetting a few months ago when his teammates were “frightened” they had drawn Liverpool and were saying they’d prefer to have drawn Man United.

  Posted from United States

  

• Rob |  February 14th, 2009 at 7:52 am

  
  
  

  Good to have some company on the CL Offside, Welcome Stephen.

  Posted from United States

  

• Stephen |  February 14th, 2009 at 10:35 am

  
  
  

  Cheers Rob. I’ll get Daryl to send over your contact information so we can have a chat about the future of the CL Offside! Glad to be onboard and hope you liked my first contribution.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Al |  February 14th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

  
  
  

  Welcome, Stephen!

  I think that this matchup will end in Liverpool’s favor only for the fact that it’s “Liverpool from the Champions League” who can make the semi-finals like it’s nothing. Plus, Torres will have that extra determination only for the fact that he hates R. Madrid more than anything. He even hinted last season that he wanted to draw them in this competition. It’ll be difficult for both teams.

  Posted from United States

  

• davis |  February 15th, 2009 at 4:57 am

  
  
  

  madness to think liverpool are worried about Madrid. its laughable to be honest. WHO would they be afraid of exactly?? WHO?? VDV is doing exactly what Arsenal did last year,talkin big believing his own hype. Arsenal said last year numerous times “we are not afraid of anfield” again and agian you heard we are not afraid. they were trying to convince themselves not Liverpool. and VDV is doing the same in saying Liverpool are afraid because they are the great Real Madrid. Far from it i say. its been a long time since Real were “great”. Madrids recent run has mainly involved games against teams in a relegation battle. Madrid wont win either leg let alone the tie. Man utd won the double last year and Liverpool have already beaten them without their 2 best,so anyone with sense being serious would know a comment about Liverpool being “afraid” of anyone this year is nonsense being said to comfort themselvs. VDV will eat his words

  Posted from Ireland

  

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