It will be the champions of England, Liverpool, against the best of Spain, Real Madrid, in the Champions League quarterfinals tonight at 9pm.
And representing the Premier League, Liverpool defender Nat Phillips says they don’t skrik for Real Madrid’s stars despite having lost to the Spanish Giants in their last three European meetings.
While Real are in second place in La Liga after 29 games – trailing Atletico Madrid by three points – the Reds have already given up on successfully defending their domestic title, trailing log leaders Manchester City by 25 points.
Domestic form goes out of the window tonight, though, with Phillips adamant that they can beat the team that klapped them 3-1 in the final of the 2018 edition.
He says ahead of tonight’s first leg at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium: “They [Real Madrid] certainly are [an iconic club]...
“But when you’re coming up against them as opposition, you don’t look at that. At the same time, Liverpool are on the same level in terms of what they’ve achieved as a club.
“So, when you’re going into a game like that you’ve got to treat it like just another game.
“Obviously you’re going to be coming up against top players and better players but, in my opinion, you’ve got to treat every game like you’re going to be coming up against the best opposition you’ve ever faced so that you’re on your best game, and it’ll be no different in that game.”
Real coach Zinedine Zidane, who has been linked with a move for Liverpool forward Mo Salah, won’t underestimate their visitors.
The three-time Champions League-winning boss says of Jurgen Klopp’s charges: “It’s a complete team. It is a very strong and very solid set.
“And when it comes to playing as a team it is very good, there is not a single point in particular, although yes, the three strikers are very good.”