Liverpool have had some very memorable Anfield nights against Spanish opposition.
The Reds’ 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-final is the obvious example which comes to mind, but they also defeated Real Madrid by the same score line 10 years earlier in the Round of 16.
A key result in securing Liverpool’s treble of trophies in 2001 was a 1-0 win against Barcelona which secured a spot in the UEFA Cup final, and Jurgen Klopp’s side saw off Villarreal at the same stage (of the rebranded Europa League) in 2016.
However, when they host Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening the Reds will be looking to do something they’ve never done before, and that’s not just sending Diego Simeone’s side home dissatisfied with the final result.
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Liverpool have previously faced opponents from La Liga seven times in a Champions League group stage match at Anfield, and they haven’t won any of them.
They’ve faced French teams the same number of times and have collected five victories along the way and have four wins to show from their eight group stage games on home turf against Italian sides. But up against teams from Spain they have only mustered four draws and three defeats.
Younger supporters may be surprised to learn that the Champions League once featured a second group stage, and Liverpool got theirs underway in 2001/02 by hosting Barcelona.
Michael Owen gave the home side the lead but goals from Patrick Kluivert, Fabio Rochemback and Marc Overmars left the Reds with an uphill struggle to qualify for the quarter-finals. They eventually made it, but only just.
Eleven months later, Valencia visited Merseyside and gave the Reds a serious lesson. The match may have only finished 1-0, thanks to Francisco Rufete’s first half strike, but Liverpool were chasing shadows for most of the night.
The way Valencia performed ensured that their manager, Rafa Benitez, would remain on the Reds’ radar until they needed a new boss at the end of the following season. In Benitez’ first campaign at the helm, which ended in the glory of Istanbul, Liverpool drew 0-0 with Deportivo La Coruna at Anfield, and they repeated the score line against Real Betis when playing as defending European champions in 2005/06.
Rafa’s Reds did at least win the reverse fixture in Spain both seasons which helped them qualify for the knockout phase each time. Liverpool also progressed to the last 16 in 2008/09, though were only able to draw 1-1 against Atletico Madrid home and away.
In the match at Anfield, future Red Maxi Rodriguez gave the visitors the lead with a well taken goal at the Kop end in the first half. It took a 95 th minute spot kick from Steven Gerrard for the Reds to rescue a point.
Atleti’s bitter rivals from Madrid were the next Spanish side to come calling in the group stage, when Brendan Rodgers was in charge of Liverpool back in 2014. But as with the visits of Barcelona and Valencia, the Reds were well beaten, thanks to one goal from Cristiano Ronaldo and a brace from Karim Benzema.
That leaves a match with Sevilla, which happened to be Jurgen Klopp’s first in the group stage of Europe’s top club competition with Liverpool. It was certainly eventful, as over the course of the game his side trailed, led, missed a penalty and had Joe Gomez sent off in the final minute before ultimately claiming a 2-2 draw.
To have faced seven different Spanish teams in the group stage and have no home wins to show for it beggars belief considering the fearsome power of Anfield on a European night.
With Atleti the first La Liga side to return for a second fixture at this point of the season, Kopites will hope their side’s poor record in such matches can finally be put to bed.
