Champions League 2014-15: 5 reasons why Liverpool can beat Real Madrid this midweek

Liverpool vs Real Madrid. The Reds vs Los Blancos. Two of the biggest and most storied teams in Europe. And, when these two teams lock horns at Merseyside on Wednesday, sparks are sure to fly. They always do, when European royalty go head to head. But, this time around, the disparity in quality and form suggests that the home team might get a drubbing at the hands of the defending champions. And, this is not without reason, especially after seeing how poorly Liverpool played against Queen’s Park Rangers.But, Liverpool have never lost to their most illustrious opponents in the Champions League. They hold the historical edge. The last time they met at Anfield, the Galacticos were torn to shreds by an inspired Liverpool side, led from the front by Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Fabio Cannavaro, were all part of a star-studded line-up that was blown away by Liverpool’s youthful exuberance and fearlessness.While they may not have a striker of El Nino’s calibre in the team anymore, they can certainly cause Ancelotti and his team a lot of headaches, if they play like they did last season. And, there are signs that show Liverpool may upset the odds this time too. Here’s why.

#1 El Clasico looming large

Liverpool and Ajax are going to be the beneficiaries of Real Madrid’s and Barcelona’s prolonged pre-occupation with the biggest match in club football, coming up this weekend. Madrid will be more desperate to win the crucial clash, with the match being played at Santiago Bernabeu. With their heads already half-turned towards Sunday’s fixture and what is in line, the clash on Wednesday is the perfect time for Liverpool to take on Madrid.

And, the Clasico this time around, is definitely among the most awaited, in a long, long time, with a host of background stories elevating the match, to something much, much more than just a 3-point fixture.

Messi on the brink of Telmo Zarra’s goal-scoring record, which Madrid would be looking to prevent, the return of Luis Suarez, which would be giving them nightmares, and the fact that defeat would mean giving Barcelona a seven-point lead, all mean that, the Liverpool match is nothing more than an afterthought, as far as the Los Blancos are concerned. Its up to the Reds to take full advantage of this scenario. And, they are more than capable of doing so.