Luka Modric reckons his Real Madrid side have something in common with Liverpool as they face each other in the Champions League on Wednesday – a miserable season back home.
Real arrive at Anfield ready to add to Liverpool’s misery, with Jurgen Klopp’s side starting the weekend in ninth place in the Premier League, 19 points adrift of top spot. But there’s no chance of former Spurs man Modric mocking his opponents, because Real find themselves eight points adrift of deadly rivals Barcelona in La Liga.
Second place in Spain may not sound a disaster but for the newly crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions it’s still an embarrassment. Especially as they lost the Spanish Super Cup Final to Barca – and recently suffered a shock defeat at Mallorca in the league, too.
Modric said: "I am really surprised that Liverpool are so far from the first place in the Premier League, but they can also say the same about us at the moment in La Liga. So, I’m not saying anything!
“Seeing the Liverpool squad, we know that at any time they can react and start to come back in the season. I hope it won't be in these two Champions League games against us but we have to be ready.
“Despite our league seasons, a Liverpool-Real match is one of the best shows that the world of football can offer. It's a shame that the draw has led to us playing so early in the competition because it would have been a great Champions League Final.
Injuries have been part of the problem for Real back home, and Liverpool have suffered without key players too – especially in defence.
But after Real clinched the FIFA Club World Cup and Liverpool turned on the style at last to win the Merseyside derby last week, Modric says there are no excuses when the sides face up at Anfield in the first leg of a last-16 tie.
He said: “It is normal that absences due to injuries have an impact on matches. But that’s not really an excuse for Liverpool or Real. We have the players to fight for trophies and titles and we’ll both believe we can do it.
“It’s the same with the World Cup in Qatar. Perhaps it played a part for both clubs, good or bad, but we are both back at work now and we are improving. Now is the time when you see the most decisive moments in national competitions. So, let’s see what happens.
“Everyone is saying that both teams are not going through a good moment, of course, but there is a lot of the season left to play."
And, of course, when it comes to the Champions League, domestic form rarely counts for anything.
Modric added: “In terms of this first leg I think defences could be the key. I don’t see a lot of goals in the match. It will probably be two very even matches, but I see Real as favourites and we’ll go to Anfield looking for a victory.
“With away goals no longer counting double it makes less difference whether you play home or away first. But I always prefer to have the second leg at home because at the Bernabeu we have seen so many times how the fans in the stand influence this kind of match.”
There is history between the two clubs, of course. Real beat Liverpool in last season’s Champions League Final in Paris, when all the controversy was off the pitch, and also in the final of 2018 when Sergio Ramos’ outrageous challenge on Mo Salah left the Liverpool man with a dislocated shoulder but nobody sent off.
“I understand that Liverpool will probably be seeking a sporting revenge against us,” admitted Modric.
“It is normal after the last results in European competitions between the two. But we’ll be ready. They will be two exciting matches, which is always the case when two great clubs of Spain and England face other. We believe we will go through.”
