Liverpool-Real Madrid: Where The Game Will Be Won and Lost

Undoubtedly, the pick of the second round of the Champions League was the pairing of Liverpool and Real Madrid. Respectively, they are the most successful club teams from the two best leagues in Europe, the English Premier League and La Liga, and both are the envy of their competitors when it comes to their European record.

What is perhaps most surprising is that this is their first competitive meeting since the European Cup Final in Paris in 1981, where Liverpool won its third European Cup thanks to an Alan Kennedy goal.

There have been links between the two clubs in the intervening period. Steve McManaman made a Bosman switch to Real Madrid from Liverpool in 1997, Liverpool was invited to take part in Real Madrid's centenary tournament in 2002, and Michael Owen made his controversial switch to the Bernabeu in 2004.

But perhaps most will be made of the links to Rafa Benitez. Benitez is a self-confessed 'Madridista' and just this week suggested that he would want to end his career at Real Madrid. But he will undoubtedly be desperate to get one over on his old club, to prove that his success with Valencia against the might of Los Merengues was no fluke.

Pepe Reina vs. Iker Casillas —Casillas and Reina are Spain's first and second-choice keepers, and there is little between them in terms of ability and influence. What England would do to have such a predicament! Both will have to be on top form for their respective teams to have any chance of progress to the quarterfinals. What Casillas loses in stature, he makes up for with agility and positioning which is second to none, while Reina's ability to read a game and act as a sweeper has been a huge force behind Liverpool's resurgence and its frugal defence.

Fabio Cannavarro v Jamie Carragher —The defensive rocks about which their sides are built. Cannavarro has enjoyed an Indian Summer to his career this past 12 months following an uncertain start to life in Spain, and he seems to be benefiting from the experience of Gabriel Heinze beside him, in addition to the progression of Pepe. Carragher is arguably going through his weakest season since Benitez took charge of Liverpool in 2004, but he is still Liverpool's 'Mr Dependable' and can still be relied upon to stand taller than all around him when the going gets tough.

Steven Gerrard v Wesley Sneijder — It is in the attacking third of the pitch where the tie will be won and lost, and as such, these two players will be key to any success. What more can be said about Gerrard that has not already been said? Perhaps the only thing which may give Madrid an upper hand is that Gerrard is recovering from a hamstring injury and may not be 100 percent. But, even at 80 percent, he is better than 99 percent of his competitors. Sneijder, too, is still recovering from serious injury, but he is a true ball-player. He loves having the ball at his feet, and his passing and shooting are exemplary. Liverpool will have to stop Sneijder if it is to stop Madrid.

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