Neville makes prediction ahead of Liverpool-Real Madrid clash

Joe Williams
Fabinho Karim Benzema Liverpool Real Madrid
Fabinho Karim Benzema Liverpool Real Madrid

Gary Neville says Liverpool are “going to go out of the Champions League” ahead of their quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.

The Reds will host the Spanish club on Wednesday night with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking to overcome a two-goal deficit after Real won the first leg 3-1.

The 2019 winners have seen a number of great Champions League nights at Anfield in their history but Liverpool will have to do without the crowd as they welcome Zinedine Zidane’s outfit.


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Liverpool have been poor at home in recent months, though, with just two wins at Anfield in their last nine encounters there in all competitions.

The Reds did bounce back from their loss to Real last week with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday – but without the fans, Neville is expecting Liverpool to exit the Champions League.

Speaking after the win over Aston Villa, Neville told Sky Sports: “It was a massive result for Liverpool, they couldn’t afford really to lose. It’s really important that Liverpool get into the top four.

“They won the title last season and have had an exceptional three years, now that they’ve got the chance to get into that top four, you couldn’t say it’s a priority over the Champions League, but the reality of it is that from where they’ve been, and they’ve had some difficult moments in these last few months, that [top four] would be a good result at the end of this season for Liverpool. I think that [beating Aston Villa] was a big moment for them.

“They were really poor in Madrid in midweek, and they’ve given themselves a lot to do and I’m not sure they have got it in them to do it because at Anfield they’ve not been great – even against Aston Villa, they’re scrambling to win late on.

“With a crowd in, it’s a different story, but I think they’re going to go out of the Champions League. I might be wrong, but it would seem now that they’ve got the top four to concentrate on. If they get into the top four at the end of it, it would be a half-decent result for them.”