Liverpool step into Bernabéu in search of another Anfield 2019

DREAM A LITTLE PIPE DREAM

The jig looked up for Liverpool four years ago, as they went into the second leg of their Big Cup tie with Barcelona three goals adrift. It looked for all the world like pure pipe-dream territory, but then strange things started to happen. Andy Robertson clipped Lionel Messi upside the head; Messi slipped into a funk and spent the rest of the match with a face on; Georginio Wijnaldum, brimful of righteous anger having been left out by Jürgen Klopp, came on and played the game of his life; Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi did their corner; and Anfield gently rose from its moorings, hovered for 20 minutes or so before starting to spin with increasing velocity and lifting off into hyperspace. All told, a decent night.

On the face of it, that sounds like not the worst precedent to consider as Liverpool ’23 prepare to step into the lions’ cage at the Bernabéu holding neither whip nor chair. Three goals down to Spanish giants again, they’ll grasp at any straw within reach, however wispy. Only problem being, this time they’re playing the second leg away from home, and unlike the notoriously flaky Barça team of the late 2010s, this particular iteration of Real Madrid (1956-2023) are serial winners. If 2019 was a pipe dream, this is a whole oil-refinery distribution system of delusion.

So perhaps they’d be better off securing their succour from another Big Cup comeback, one that happened a mere 24 hours after their banjaxing o’Barca: Tottenham’s famously absurd turnaround from three goals down against Ajax. Not only did Lucas Moura complete that impossible dream in 35 minutes flat, he also did so away from home, all of which is in keeping with the difficulty of the poser Liverpool have been set tonight. It can be done, then, though unlike Spurs, Liverpool won’t be assisted by the old away goals rule; uber-experienced Real Madrid are unlikely to panic like Ajax’s kids in 2019; and the Reds will probably need Darwin Núñez to locate his inner Erling Haaland and whistle every single effort into the net. Yes, yes, that’s our conclusion too, but they’re duty bound to turn up for the second leg, they may as well give it a go.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE

Join Scott Murray from 8pm for hot Big Cup last-16 coverage of Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool (agg: 8-3), while Will Unwin will be on deck to mop up Napoli 3-0 Eintracht Frankfurt (agg: 5-0), Brighton 3-0 Crystal Palace, Southampton 1-1 Brentford and all the action from the Championship and the WSL.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I don’t see him as a starter. He’ll be more like he’s used to at Milan for in-game situations. Then it depends on how things are in the games and on his possibilities. Zlatan is very eager and wants to contribute” – Sweden’s coach, Janne Andersson, explains why he has called 41-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic into his squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan later this month despite the striker having not started a game in more than 14 months.

The king is back. Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images

Re Graham Williams’ letter regarding Thierry Henry being given offside when he wasn’t and ruling the lack of VAR, Ireland 2010 says hello” – Rob Graham.

Yesterday’s caption to the picture of Chelsea footballers Ron Harris, George Graham, Terry Venables, John Hollins and Eddie McCreadie at a photoshoot in October 1965 (“Good to see Terry with the personalised suit, there”) was a tad puzzling. Not only was Venables wearing a casual light jacket/dark trousers combo, but the only people who appear to know what the middle letter of the TFV monogram on his jacket pocket actually stands for seem to be Fulham supporters” – Frank Landamore.

Regarding the androidization of the officiating of football in the Premier League we here in the USA!!! USA!!! USA!!! are seeing our National Pastime being Assimilated by the Borg as well; with almost all umpiring decisions now being subject to review under instant replay. Coming soon is the implementation of computer generated calling of balls and strikes with the plate umpire relegated to posing behind the plate, signaling the call to the fans, and supposedly over riding a blatantly irregular computer call (as if that can even exist). Much like a fourth official. Team managers will only be able to kick dirt into an imaginary laptop in lieu of soiling an umpires shoes. Face it, all the opportunities for righteous indignation are slowly being removed from our respective games. Speaking of which, is your National Pastime football, rugby, cricket, foxhunting or F1 auto racing? I am only respectfully curious” – Michael Van Portfliet.

Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Michael Van Portfliet.