"They always find a way to win against us in the past" - Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk on facing Real Madrid in UCL clash

Liverpool defender and captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken about facing Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League group stage clash. Both clubs are set to face off at Anfield tomorrow (November 27), with the Reds hoping to take advantage of playing in front of their fans.

Both sides have faced each other fairly regularly over the years, with Real Madrid often coming out winners. In their 11 games, the Spanish giants have won seven, with their English counterparts winning just three. Indeed, 2008 was the last time Liverpool beat Los Blancos.

They have played against each other in two UEFA Champions League finals, in 2018 and in 2022. Both times, the Spanish giants lifted the trophy, with the Reds going home empty-handed. With their group stage clash coming up, Virgil van Dijk spoke about facing them once more, saying (via MirrorFootball on X):

"If you lose two finals - Champions League finals, I think that's very very painful. And I think I've never won against them [Real Madrid] in my time in Liverpool anyway, or even in my time as a football player.

"They always find a way to win against us in the past. It was tough. They have fantastic players, a fantastic manager. It won't be any different on Wednesday - it's going to be tough. They have the players to punish you at any second, and we have to be very good to get a result."

Van Dijk will hope that he can lead his teammates onto the pitch at Anfield and provide a strong performance against a team they have always struggled to beat.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaks about facing Real Madrid right after an important Premier League match

Arne Slot has spoken about facing Real Madrid so soon after their 3-2 Premier League win over Southampton. The Reds visited St. Mary's Stadium on November 24 and left with all three points, increasing their lead on the table to eight points.

Speaking after the game, he explained how difficult it was to play in the Premier League and the Champions League (via club website):

"That is the difference... this league asks a lot from every player every weekend and then if you then play in Europe, that’s not always easy. Only a few teams in England have shown they can do this. Liverpool have shown it in the past for many seasons."

The Reds are currently leading the Premier League table, and they will look to take this run of form into the Champions League against Real Madrid.

​