If there's one club who know all about securing high-profile, dramatic three-goal swings in the Champions League, then it is Liverpool. And if there is a manager who knows all about how your fate can change in such mayhem, it is Carlo Ancelotti.
But even armed with the positive omens and the quirky weight of history, Jurgen Klopp heads to Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night knowing that the task in front of him is a daunting one.
Even for a manager whose own story with the Reds in Europe's premier competition is so distinguished, this is new ground that must be broken in the Spanish capital this week.
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The 5-2 loss to the current European champions at Anfield at the end of last month showcased all that is good and great about how both Liverpool and Real Madrid operate at this level.
For the Reds, their tearing out the blocks was trademark and textbook on February 28. A storming start saw Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah put the home side two goals up inside 15 minutes, evoking memories of famous nights against Roma, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
For 15 minutes, Real Madrid - the side who have beaten Klopp's side twice in the final of this competition - were on the canvas, staring up, dazed and dazzled by the bright floodlights of Anfield. Having managed to avoid the red-hot pressure cooker of a full crowd in their quarter-final meeting in 2021, it looked as though Ancelotti's side were about to join the long list of teams who have wilted on Merseyside.
But there's a reason the Spanish royals are 14 time winners of this competition; a reason they have created a mythical reputation of their own. It’s one that was carved and shaped across three barely believable knockout ties en route to the Paris final last season.
In their games with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, los Blancos were on the brink of an exit each time. Their earliest turnaround came against PSG in the quarters, when they were just 14 minutes from defeat. There was just 10 left to play against Chelsea before a stunning salvo saw them score three times between minutes 90 and 96 against City in the semis.
So it came as no shock to seasoned observers that Ancelotti's men were not flustered in the slightest once they had come to their senses at Anfield in the first leg. It takes more than a 2-0 deficit with 165 minutes left of a two-legged tie to truly disturb the holders.
"What I said after the game on the night [of the first leg] was Madrid, with the result, they are through to the next round," Klopp said at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night. "But now we are three weeks later and we know there is a game to play. If there is only a 1% chance I would like to give it a try.
"We are here to play an extremely strong opponent and try to win the game tomorrow. As difficult as it is, that is probably possible. Not likely but possible and for that we are here and then we will see where it will lead us to.
“We respect the competition and the opponent too much to not be looking forward to this game tomorrow. It is a tough task, as we are not in a great situation."
On top of needing three goals merely to force extra time at the home of the current Champions League holders, Liverpool face an added layer of difficulty due to the sorcery the Spanish side are seemingly able to conjure at will where this competition is concerned. This is what Klopp's side are up against and why it would rank as their greatest-ever comeback in Europe outside of a final.
“I'm not sure this is the season where we have a better chance but if we can surprise ourselves in a negative way we should be able to surprise ourselves in a positive way as well," Klopp added, attempting to instill a modicum of belief in those who may need it. "If it is going to be up and down then tomorrow should be up again."
It acutely sums up the situation Liverpool are in just now that the absence of 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, ruled out with an adductor issue, has been viewed as a major setback. With Jordan Henderson also absent, the midfield headache is once again providing the manager with a migraine he could sorely do without.
Fabinho, who was on media duties alongside his boss on Tuesday, will start but Klopp has a very real selection dilemma after that. Harvey Elliott is likely set to be named alongside the Brazilian but that third spot remains a real mystery.
That, though, does perhaps at least lend itself to the possibility of going with just the two in the centre of the park in an effort to squeeze as many of his match-winners into the team as possible. Could Fabinho partner James Milner in something of a 4-2-3-1 formation then?
Klopp added: "We are not here warning Madrid: 'Be careful, we are coming'. But we are here to try to win the game and to win it we have to play an extremely good game. An OK game or a good game will not be enough. We will have to be on top of our game and that is what we will try.
“It is difficult because we will probably not go through to the next leg but in this room I think 100% of the people think we have no chance and if I am the only one who thinks we have a little chance I am fine. We are the complere outsiders tomorrow, 100%. Real Madrid are 3-0 up and that is not what you want for Christmas but it's football and we will try to give it a go."
In the pantheon of the strange and surreal involving both of these storied clubs in the European Cup, Klopp may just need the most unbelievable yet to secure what he needs. But Ancelotti, more than anyone, will know if any club can do it, it is Liverpool.
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