IT’S the end of the road for Liverpool as the Reds go crashing out of the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid. Jurgen Klopp’s men had it all to do after being humiliated in the first leg 5-2.
But Karim Benzema’s late strike tonight put Liverpool out of their misery.
RESULT: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (6-2 on agg)
Live stream: BT Sport website or app
TV channel: BT Sport 1
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicus Jr
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Fabinho; Salah, Jota, Gakpo; Nunez
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That’s all from the Bernabeu
They needed at least three goals, Jurgen Klopp gave them a one percent chance, but ultimately Liverpool fired blanks at the Bernabeu as they were beaten by Benzema.
So it’s the end of the road for the Reds for this season – but is it the end of an era?
The Europa League takes over tomorrow night with Arsenal and Manchester United in action, and you can follow every kick with us here at SunSport.
Until then, thanks for joining us, and goodnight.
Extra! Read all about it!
Before we sign off for this evening, why not relive the action from the Spanish capital with David Kidd’s match report of Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool (6-2 on aggregate).
That Real comprehensively outplayed Liverpool in both legs shows just how far the Reds have regressed since their quadruple-chasing days of last spring. A miracle never looked like happening, even before Karim Benzema’s late strike – his tenth against English opposition since the start of last season.David Kidd
Real walk with beaten Reds
They may have just seen their team thrashed over two legs of Champions League football, but Liverpool’s travelling support were treated to a lovely tribute at the full time whistle.
No sooner has the ref blown up for the end of the second leg, the speakers at the Bernabeu began to pump out You’ll Never Walk Alone, Liverpool’s famous anthem.
It is understood to be a gesture of good will from Real following the Anfield club’s honouring of former Los Blancos star Amancio, who died shortly before the first meeting in February.
They honoured Amancio in the first leg and it’s a fair gesture from our club towards them.Carlo AncelottiUEFA
No special showing from Reds
Liverpool have produced some special comebacks in their European history, but they barely laid a glove on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this evening – much to Jurgen Klopp’s disappointment.
Indeed, the German coach feels that their second leg performance wasn’t even good enough to win the tie, had they travelled to Spain on level terms.
If we had drawn at home and then play like we did tonight, we probably go out as well. We cannot come here and hope that we get something. We prepared for a special performance tonight but it did not happen.Jurgen KloppBT Sport
Real claim Liverpool hat-trick
For the third successive season, Real Madrid have eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League.
Los Blancos followed up their 1-0 triumph in last season’s Paris final with this 6-2 walloping in the Round of 16.
It was the quarter-finals in 2020-21 when Real again stamped their mark in the first leg. Back then, a 3-1 win at the Bernabeu swung the tie in the Spaniards’ favour as they hung on for a goalless draw in the Anfield return.
It is just the second time in European Cup or Champions League history that a side has been eliminated in three straight seasons by the same opponent.
Naturally, Real Madrid were the victorious club in both instances, also defeating city rivals Atletico in four consecutive campaigns between 2013-14 and 2016-17.
Klopp faced by Spanish inquisition
For the sixth time in his spell as Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has seen his team eliminated from European competition by Spanish opposition.
On four occasions that has been at the hands of Real Madrid while Atletico and Sevilla have also dispatched of the Reds.
No side from another European nation are yet to knock out Klopp’s Liverpool in major competition.
Carlo hails wise old heads
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes his side were able to pick Liverpool off in the late stages thanks to the cool, calm and collected nature of veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield.
Pressing up high has cost Liverpool because Luka Modric and Toni Kroos manage very well in these types of matches. They are not afraid, and get the ball out from behind well, and it has cost them in this sense.Carlo AncelottiUEFA
Pool hit for six
Liverpool’s 6-2 aggregate loss in the Round of 16 is their heaviest margin of defeat over two legs of a Champions League knockout tie.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have qualified for their 19th Champions League quarter-final – only Bayern Munich (21) have reached more.
Presenting the Champions League quarter-finalists
We now know the eight clubs that will compete in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.
Real Madrid’s progress means the holders are within five matches of retaining their title, and ensures that Chelsea and Manchester City are the only English sides in the next round.
Elsewhere this evening, Napoli cruised past Eintracht Frankfurt to make it three Italian teams in the last eight for the first time in 17 years.
Chelsea
Benfica
AC Milan
Bayern Munich
Manchester City
Inter Milan
Napoli
Real Madrid
Match stats from the Bernabeu
Liverpool were unable to build on their steady first half showing, and in the end were beaten by a side that had close to double the amount of shots.
Full time – Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
Liverpool exit the Champions League with a whimper rather than a bang.
The Reds lose 1-0 on the night, thanks to Karim Benzema’s late goal, but in truth the damage was done at Anfield.
And so the Premier League side are left to rue Real Madrid once again, beaten 6-2 on aggregate – and it seems a long, long time ago that they led this tie 2-0.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
90+5. He didn’t concede a penalty during his cameo, but Kostas Tsimikas has been booked for a flailing arm into the face of Dani Ceballos.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
90+4. The referee is sent to the pitchside monitor by his colleague, and decides it’s as big a waste of time as the rest of us.
No penalty.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
90+2. Tsimikas is in the thick of things immediately, making what looks a good block to deny Rodrygo’s shot.
However, the ball bounced up off the Greek defender’s thigh and hit his arm, and now VAR are taking a look at it.
A long look as it turns out. What’s the point?
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
90. Two minutes of stoppage time are signalled, and Jurgen Klopp makes two substitutions just for the hell of it.
Kostas Tsimikas and Fabio Carvalho replace Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
89. The game isn’t even up yet you feel discussions are already taking place among fans and pundits regarding Liverpool’s next steps.
Is this an end of an era?
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
87. Liverpool are limping to the finish line here
A final Real Madrid substitution sees Lucas Vazquez on for Dani Carvajal.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
85. Another couple of changes for the hosts, who take off Toni Kroos and Vinicius Junior in the final stages.
Marco Asensio and Aurelien Tchouameni will get the final five minutes.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
83. Unsurprisingly, that goal has taken the final gust of wind out of Liverpool’s sails.
The Reds’ season now is all about the top four, and ensuring they are back in this competition next year.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
81. It’s a double change for Real Madrid with two of their old times making way to great applause.
Luka Modric and Karim Benzema are off, Dani Ceballos and Rodrygo come on.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
80. Sure enough, Benzema has come across to the touchline for treatment.
With El Clasico on the horizon this weekend, Carlo Ancelotti is going to take no chances.
Substitutions are being prepared.
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg: 6-2)
78. If the tie wasn’t over before, it is now!
With Liverpool committing men forward, Eduardo Camavinga picked out Karim Benzema with a through ball, who in turn worked the ball into the path of Vinicius Junior via a ricochet off Virgil van Dijk.
The Brazilian should score, but somehow fluffs his lines with only Alisson to beat.
However, having slipped, the young forward regains his composure to slide the ball right for Benzema to tap in.
The striker wheels away to celebrate, but then pulls up and looks to have injured himself in the process of scoring.
Deadlock broken!
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (Agg: 5-2)
76. Intricate passing between Elliott, Salah and Firmino open up an opportunity for Robertson to cross.
However, the left-back fails to get it beyond Militao, while everyone of a Liverpool persuasion wonders why Elliott didn’t initiate contact with the diving tackle of Carvajal to win a penalty.
Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (Agg: 5-2)
74. Liverpool frustrations are now evident on the field as Harvey Elliott leaves one on Eder Militao long after the ball had gone.
That wasn’t a great challenge from the youngster, and he’s very lucky to avoid a card.
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on for James Milner.
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