Liverpool are back in action against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, for the fourth season in a row in the Champions League.
The Reds have terrible recent memories of the European champions, having been knocked out by them in each of their last three appearances in the competition.
It hasn’t always been this way, however. Liverpool won their first three meetings with Los Blancos. The latest of those came with a thumping 4-0 victory at Anfield in March 2009. Here’s the XI from that magical Champions League last-16 second-leg.
Steven Gerrard of Liverpool scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Round of Sixteen, Second Leg match...
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Defence
Fresh off the back of a European Championship win with Spain, Pepe Reina was one of the most reliable goalkeepers on the continent in 2009.
15 years on and the now 42-year-old is miraculously still active, joining Serie A side Como last summer.
In-front of Reina, Liverpool right-back Alvaro Arbeloa had a score to settle with his former – and unbeknownst to him at the time – future club.
After retiring in 2018, the Spaniard again returned to Real where he is a youth coach. Arbeloa will take over at Castilla, Madrid’s second team, when Raul Gonzalez leaves next summer.
At centre-back was the ever reliable pairing of Jamie Carragher – who’s current whereabouts need no explaining – and Martin Skrtel.
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Interestingly, Skrtel became a sporting director earlier this year, taking over at Slovakian top division side DAC Dunajska Streda.
At left-back was Brazilian Fabio Aurelio, who has also stayed involved in football during retirement, co-owning agency NG Soccer.
Midfield
Liverpool’s midfield of 2008/09 was a spectacular one. Dubbed ‘the best midfield in the world,’ the Reds’ trio of Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso dominated Madrid that day.
Gerrard was the master of the show, scoring twice past Iker Casillas inside 47 minutes. The Liverpool legend will surely be watching on Wednesday from Saudi Arabia.
Funnily, both of Gerrard’s midfield partners from the 4-0 win are also now high profile footballer managers.
Xabi Alonso has been a revelation in charge of Bayer Leverkusen while Mascherano has just joined Inter Miami to manage luminaries such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
The Liverpool Players line up for a team photo prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of Sixteen, Second Leg match between Liverpool and Real Mad...
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Attack
If Liverpool’s midfield was the key for the Reds’ here, then the attack housed the game’s outstanding figure.
Atletico Madrid through and through, Fernando Torres was desperate to get one over on his old club’s sworn enemy. And he did exactly that, putting Liverpool ahead after 16 minutes and terrorising Fabio Cannavaro, Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Gabriel Heinze all game long.
Another who has turned his hand to coaching, Torres is in charge at Atletico’s B team and has designs on making the step up to senior management in the near future.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Real Madrid as Arne Slot gives ‘top’ player first Champions League start this year
One who has already done that is Dirk Kuyt, who started from the right for Liverpool here.
The Dutchman is currently in charge at Belgian top division side Beerschot, although given that his team are cut adrift at the bottom of the First Division A after 15 games, he may not be for much longer.
Finally, Ryan Babel was the Reds’ left winger. The forward only recently announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.
Current head coach of Italian Serie C team Spal, Andrea Dossena, came off the bench to score, while club ambassador Lucas Leiva and current Liverpool academy player coach Jay Spearing also made it on for memorable cameos. Same again please, Liverpool!
Liverpool’s Line-Up vs Real Madrid March 10th 2009
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