Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior names Premier League giants' home ground as his favorite UCL away stadium
Vinicius Junior has named Liverpool's Anfield his favorite away stadium in the UEFA Champions League having enjoyed several iconic moments with Real Madrid on Merseyside. The Brazilian is gearing up for Los Blancos' European final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (June 1).
The 23-year-old attacker sat down with the La Liga giants' media team and was asked several questions. One of those was to name his favorite European stadium (via Madrid Zone):
"Best away stadium in CL? Against Liverpool (Anfield)."
Vinicius Junior has experienced European nights at Anfield on three occasions and has a fantastic record. The Brazil international has won two and drawn one of those three outings. He has three goals and one assist in those games.
The 2022 Champions League winner's best performance at the 60,725-capacity stadium was in last season's tournament. He bagged a brace and an assist as Real Madrid ran out 5-2 winners (6-2 aggregate) in the 2022-23 campaign's Round of 16.
The Selecao star also made history with that double last season. He became the youngest visiting player to score twice against Liverpool at Anfield in Europe since Johan Cruyff in December 1999.
Vinicius has visited many other historic stadiums during this season's campaign. He's appeared at Manchester City's Etihad and Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena en route to Wembley for the final against Dortmund.
Jurgen Klopp waxed lyrical about Vinicius after Real Madrid's win against Liverpool in 2021
Vinicius' first encounter with Liverpool as a Real Madrid player came in the 2020-21 Champions League. He bagged a brace in a 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in the quarterfinals.
Jurgen Klopp insisted he wasn't surprised by Vinicius' exploits but impressed when speaking after the game. The German tactician, who has now left the Reds, said (via Marca):
"I was impressed [by Vinicius], not surprised. He's obviously an outstanding talent. Everybody knew it before Real Madrid signed him, but he became obviously better."
Los Blancos failed to win that season's Champions League but reigned supreme in the 2021-22 campaign. They beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final and Vinicus netted the winner at the Stade de France.
Vinicius has been in red-hot form throughout his Madrid career. He could add a second Champions League winners' medal to his trophy cabinet this Saturday.
The Brazilian has racked up five goals and as many assists in nine games in the competition this season. Carlo Ancelotti's men will be favorites against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley