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Real Madrid full back Alvaro Arbeloa has said the 3-0 over Liverpool was a unique night for the club and one the players will always remember.

Two goals from Karim Benzema and one from Cristiano Ronaldo ensured a convincing win for the 10-time European Cup winners – and the first ever win for the side at the famous Anfield stadium.

Before the game, much was made of the atmosphere at the ground, and Arbeloa, who played for two seasons for the Reds, hailed the Liverpool fans for the reception they gave Real Madrid at the end – applauding them off the field.

“The Anfield crowd was able to acknowledge the job we did. They know that we have come here full of respect and that’s why they appluaded our win. It’s a unique night for the club. We put in a great performance and we had never won here; I think it’ll live in the memory,” he told reporters after the match.

The defender then switched his attention to the Clasico this Saturday, telling journalists it will be a great match with two teams in superb form.

“Both teams go into the Clásico in top form. We are working very hard and you can see that. The details are what make the difference. If there were reasons to play on Saturday it would be understood, but there aren’t. However, this is how it has been set so we’ll have to recover as quickly as possible,” he stated.

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Karim Benzema has expressed his delight Real Madrid’s convincing win over Liverpool.

The Frenchman scored twice in the first half, while Cristiano Ronaldo also grabbed a goal – his 18th of the season in total – to secure a 3-0 win at Anfield and the three points that puts Los Blancos well on the way to the knockout stages in the Champions League.

Speaking to journalists after the game, the 26-year-old said Los Blancos played a perfect match adding that the squad was full of quality. He praised Isco for stepping in to the team in the place of the injured Gareth Bale and keeping up the high tempo game employed by Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

“I’m very happy with the match. It was very difficult but we did a great job as a team and what’s important is that we got the three points. We know that this team puts on a lot of pressure, but when we defend well together we can put together counter-attacks to create chances,” he said.

And he added: “I give my all whenever I’m on the field. It’s true that in the Champions League I’m lucky enough to score goals but the other competitions are just as important. The team changes when players are missing; now Bale is out, but Isco and James worked well. We have a lot of players to make a good team. We’re in better shape than last year.”

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Real Madrid playmaker Isco has said the whole team deserves credit for the convincing 3-0 over Liverpool at Anfield.

Los Blancos stunned the home crowd with a sensational first half display, with Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing a goal and Karim Benzema netting twice before the interval. The win gave the Champions League holders their third win out of three in the group stage and they look all but certain to qualify for the next round.

Speaking after the game, the 22-year-old, in the side for the injured Gareth Bale, said everyone deserves praise for the way they played. He also commended Liverpool for their efforts and said despite the scoreline, the Reds put the 10-time Champions League winners under intense pressure at times.

Isco, a 30-million-euro signing from Malaga in the summer of 2013, told reporters the win would boost the team’s confidence as they head into the Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday evening.

He said: “It is a difficult ground and the fans put a lot of pressure on you. Liverpool pressured a lot at the start too. The whole team deserves the credit. It’s not easy to win here and even less so in the way that we did and that gives us a boost for the Clásico. We can’t wait for Saturday.”

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Real Madrid played one of their best matches of the season to earn a historic victory at Anfield Road, were they had never won before.

Los Merengues consolidated their lead atop group B, and they can almost see themselves in the next round after getting all points in their first three games.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema trashed Liverpool in the first half and showed they are in superb form ahead of El Clasico against arch-rivals Barcelona.

The Reds made an interesting start to the game, pressing their rival high up and threatening Iker Casillas. However, as that intensity began to fade, Los Blancos took control of the game.

Carlo Ancelotti men gave a footballing master class in the last 30 minutes of the first half, with Isco and James Rodriguez putting in a brilliant performance in the playmaker position.

Ronaldo opened the score in the 23rd minute with a very difficult shot. James sent a bouncing pass to the Portuguese and Ronaldo slid between Liverpool’s centre-backs to strike a brilliant chip beyond the keeper and into the far corner.

Benzema, who was a nightmare for the Reds defence, scored the next two goals. The first was a superb header over a Simon Mignolet, following a cross from Toni Kroos.

His second came from a terrible defending from the hosts. Three defenders missed the header in a corner; the ball bounced off Pepe and fell at the feet of Benzema. The Frenchman couldn’t miss.

Joao Coutinho had a great chance to shorten Real’s lead just before half-time. The Portuguese international drilled a terrific shot from 30 metres, but it hit the post with Casillas beaten.

Liverpool tried to react at the start of the second half, but Los Blancos were solid in defence. As Brendan Rodgers men started to get tired, Real had good chances to seal the victory. Ronaldo missed the best off all, only having to beat Mignolet from two metres, but the keeper made the save with his foot.

The Portuguese came one goal short of becoming the Champions League’s all-time scorer. He has scored 70, one less that Los Blancos legend Raul Gonzalez.

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Real Madrid will try to get their first victory ever at Anfield Road as they meet Liverpool in the third date of the Champions League.

Los Blancos will look to make it nine points in three games, and consolidate their lead in Group B. Liverpool need to regain confidence after their defeat in Basel and they will be specially motivated for this game.

Carlo Ancelotti has Sami Khedira back, and the German could play his first match of the season in the Champions League. However, it seems highly unlikely that he will make it in the starting eleven.

The Italian manager will miss Gareth Bale, who will sit out for the next two weeks following a muscle injury, and Sergio Ramos, who will rest ahead of El Clasico against Barcelona.

Fabio Coentrao and Jese Rodriguez will also sit out, still recovering from their injuries. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane return after recovering from a bout of flu. The defender will start at centre-back alongside Pepe, while the striker will accompany Cristiano Ronaldo up front.

Brendan Rodgers will only miss Daniel Sturridge, who has suffered a relapse from a previous calf injury.

Possible line-ups:

Liverpool: Mignolet; Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Jose Enrique; Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana; Sturridge, Lambert, Balotelli.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; James, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema.

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said he may regret not joining Real Madrid earlier in his career when he looks back.

The 34-year-old midfielder comes up against Los Blancos tonight hoping for a repeat of the last time these two teams met and the Reds won 4-0.

Speaking ahead of the match, the inspirational Reds captain told reporters that he had the chance to join Los Blancos a couple of times earlier in his career but opted to stay at Anfield because it is the club his loves.

But he admitted that when he retires from the game, he may look back and regret his decision not to test himself in a new country and league, and learn a second language.

Gerrard said: “I think it is very flattering to be linked to a huge club like Real Madrid. I think I had a couple of options throughout my career to go to Real Madrid but I resisted temptation because of the big connection I had to my hometown club.

And he added: “It may be something I regret further down the line by not challenging myself and having a change of scenery in a different country but I would have had a bigger regret leaving the club I love. I am a big fan of Madrid, they are a special club, but for me Liverpool are my number one club.”

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Carlo Ancelotti has said he and his Real Madrid players are looking forward to a special night of European football against Liverpool this evening, but won’t let the atmosphere get the better of them.

Anfield is known across the world for having one of the best atmospheres, particularly under the floodlights on big European occasions. And Ancelotti believes his players will revel in the occasion.

Speaking to journalists at his press conference, the Italian, who guided Los Blancos to success in the Champions League last season, predicted a classic match between two great teams.

“We’ll see everything that can be said about a good match: two great teams playing really good football, and a spectacular and very dynamic match that we’ll try to win. Playing at Anfield is always special, above all with the atmosphere that we’re going to see,” he stated.

But he warned Liverpool that his side would not change the way they play and would seek to dominate in terms of possession and hit fast on the break.

“The philosophy of our play isn’t going to change and less so against a competitive team that’s really strong at home. The idea is to control the match with our quality. We’re here and it would be strange to be thinking about the match on Saturday,” he said.

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There’s one thing dominating the newspapers this morning – the classic European showdown between two of the world’s biggest clubs – Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Los Blancos head to Anfield looking to secure a third win in the group that would see them have one foot in the knock out stages. The team trained in abysmal conditions last night in the north west of England, with howling winds and rain battering the area.

And the papers say Liverpool face another hurricane tonight. Los Blancos have won their last seven consecutive matches and in Cristiano Ronaldo, possess probably the most in-form player in the world right now. The former Manchester United man will be guaranteed a hot reception, but it’s the kind of atmosphere he loves.

The Portuguese forward has never scored at Anfield in his career and will be keen to put that right. And just two goals short of Raul’s club record 71 Champions League goals, the 29-year-old will be extremely motivated this evening.

Elsewhere, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has been discussing this weekend’s Clasico match at the Santiago Bernabeu. And he claims Barcelona fans and players feel more Cule playing at the home of their rivals than at any other ground in the world.

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Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa has said he can’t wait to play against former side Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The 31-year-old played for the Reds for two years between 2007 and 2009 prior to signing for the Santiago Bernabeu side, and played in the Champions League final defeat to AC Milan in Athens.

Ahead of the game, Arbeloa took time out to speak to UEFA.com, and he recalled his time in the north west of England, telling the website that he has fond memories of playing for the club.

“Returning to Liverpool after five years will be very special. I played at the Anfield, so it will be very beautiful. But not just for me, I’ve told my team mates to enjoy the match as much as possible,” he stated.

“I grew a lot as a player and as a person. I was there for two marvelous years and I got used to a new culture,” he added.

The Spanish international also discussed what it mean to be part of the Decima-winning squad last season, particularly having lost a Champions League final previously.

“Real Madrid is the most important club in the world. That makes it special, there’s not any greater club. It’s the one that has won the most and that says everything. La Decima was the most important title, and after winning it I can look back without the anxiety I had before. I’ve lost four times in the semifinals and I always thought about the lost opportunity in Athens.”

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Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez has said he never had a problem with Iker Casillas and the pair got on well during their time together at the club.

Lopez moved to AC Milan in the summer after spending 18 months at the Santiago Bernabeu and playing largely as the number one goalkeeper, with club captain Casillas restricted to roles in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

Throughout his time at the club, there was much debate in the press and among Madridistas about who should be the number one. There was also talk about a bitter rivalry between the pair.

The opposite was true, according to Lopez, who has known Casillas since the age of 19 when they were playing for the Madrid youth teams.

The now 32-year-old told Telecinco while the pair were rivals for the first team spot, they got on fine away from the training ground.

“It’s very important to look at what you have around you at that age, and especially with Iker around, to learn from him. I went to Real Madrid because I believed I could be more than a second-string goalkeeper at that time,” he said.

And he added: “The people were not conceiving another person in the place of Iker Casillas. During my time at Real Madrid, I showed what could be achieved by working hard and competing for a spot you want, in the eyes of the manager.”

“I never have any problems with Iker, we had known each other for a while before I returned to Real Madrid. There’s no doubt that it was a tussle for the jersey on the pitch, but outside of football everything was normal between us.”

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