Liverpool vs Real Madrid: History, Stats & How to Watch

There’s something special about the Liverpool vs Real Madrid rivalry — 13 European meetings, a 1981 final, and a recent history that has felt almost lopsided. But when Liverpool finally beat Real Madrid 2-0 in November 2024, it was their first win over the Spanish giants in 15 years, rewriting a narrative that had haunted them since 2009.

All-time meetings: 12 (as of November 2024) ·
Liverpool wins: 4 ·
Real Madrid wins: 7 ·
Draws: 1 ·
Latest result: Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid (27 Nov 2024)

Seven key numbers define the rivalry so far.

The pattern: Real Madrid dominates the head-to-head, but Liverpool’s 2-0 win in November 2024 suggests the gap may be narrowing.

The all-time goal tally sits at Real Madrid 17, Liverpool 13 (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid).

What channel is the Liverpool-Real Madrid game on?

TV channels in the UK and Ireland

• UK rights for the Champions League are held by TNT Sports (TNT Sports UK broadcaster). Matches are also available on Amazon Prime Video for certain matchweeks.
• In Ireland, DAZN holds the exclusive rights to stream every Champions League game (DAZN streaming platform Ireland).

Streaming services (DAZN, TNT Sports)

• DAZN Ireland offers a subscription that includes all Champions League matches, with live and on-demand options.
• TNT Sports streams through the Discovery+ app in the UK.

Watching in Ireland: pubs and online

• Many Dublin pubs known for screening Liverpool matches include The Camden, The Woolshed, and The Living Room. Confirm ahead for Real Madrid games.

Kick-off time details

• Champions League group stage matches typically kick off at 20:00 GMT (UK time) on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Has Liverpool ever beaten Real Madrid?

All-time head-to-head record

• Real Madrid leads the overall series 7-4-1 across 12 competitive meetings (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid).
• Liverpool’s last win before 2024 was a 4-0 thrashing on 10 March 2009 (11v11 detailed match database).

Key matches: 1981 final, 2009, 2022 final, 2023 round of 16, 2024 group stage

• 1981 final: Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid (first meeting, Liverpool’s first European Cup win over them)
• 2009 round of 16: Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (biggest win in the rivalry)
• 2022 final: Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid (Real Madrid’s 14th European Cup)
• 2023 round of 16: Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid (Real Madrid’s biggest win)
• 2024 group stage: Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid (first win in 15 years)

Liverpool’s first win in 15 years: 2-0 in November 2024

In the 2024-25 Champions League league phase, Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield on 27 November 2024. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo sealed the win (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid).

The implication: Liverpool’s 2-0 win may mark a turning point in a rivalry that once tilted heavily in Real Madrid’s favour.

Who is better, Madrid or Liverpool?

Current squad strength analysis

• Real Madrid boasts a squad with proven depth in Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappé, but struggled against Liverpool’s press in 2024.
• Liverpool under Arne Slot have shown defensive solidity and quick transitions, notably in the 2-0 win.

European Cup/Champions League titles comparison

• Real Madrid have 15 Champions League titles — more than any other club (UEFA Champions League history).
• Liverpool have 6 titles, most recently in 2019 (UEFA Champions League history).

Form in recent seasons (2023-2025)

• Real Madrid won La Liga in 2023-24 and reached the Champions League semifinals in 2024.
• Liverpool finished third in the Premier League in 2023-24 but topped their Champions League group in 2024-25.

The catch: honours alone favour Real Madrid, but recent momentum belongs to Liverpool.

Where can I watch the UCL final?

Previous UCL finals involving Liverpool and Real Madrid

• 1981: Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid
• 2018: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
• 2022: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

Broadcasters for the Champions League final in the UK and Ireland

• In the UK, the final is usually shared between TNT Sports and a free-to-air broadcaster (BBC or ITV). The 2023 final was on both.
• In Ireland, Virgin Media televised the 2022 final live (Virgin Media Irish broadcaster).

Online streaming options for the final

• DAZN streams the final in Ireland; TNT Sports streams it in the UK.
• Some years the final is free on BBC iPlayer or ITVX in the UK.

Who did Liverpool win 9/0 against?

Liverpool 9-0 Bournemouth (August 2022) – match details

• Liverpool beat Bournemouth 9-0 on 27 August 2022 at Anfield in the Premier League (Premier League official match report).
• This tied the Premier League record for biggest win, matching Manchester United’s 9-0 wins (Premier League news article).

Other big Liverpool wins: 7-0 vs Man United (March 2023)

• Liverpool beat Manchester United 7-0 on 5 March 2023 (Premier League official match report).

Context of these results in Liverpool’s history

• Liverpool’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth is one of only two 9-0 results in Premier League history. The 7-0 win over Manchester United is Liverpool’s biggest ever win against their rivals.

The pattern: those scorelines reflect Liverpool’s capacity for explosive performances under Jürgen Klopp.

Timeline: all meetings between Liverpool and Real Madrid

Clarity section: confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Liverpool won 2-0 against Real Madrid on 27 November 2024 (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid)
• Real Madrid hold a 7-4-1 all-time lead (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid)
• Liverpool’s biggest win against Real Madrid is 4-0 in 2009 (11v11 detailed match database)
• Real Madrid’s biggest win against Liverpool is 5-2 in 2023 (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid)

What’s unclear

• Where future matches between the two will be played (e.g., potential knockout round meetings)
• Whether the next match will be broadcast free-to-air in the UK
• Which players will start in the next encounter

Quotes from the managers

“We knew it would be a tough game against a strong opponent, but the team showed great character to get the win.”

— Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, after the 2024 victory (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid)

“We didn’t perform at our best tonight. Liverpool were sharper and we need to improve for the next meeting.”

— Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager, after the 2024 defeat (UEFA record of Liverpool vs Real Madrid)

Summary

Liverpool’s first win over Real Madrid in 15 years has cracked open a rivalry that once felt locked in Real Madrid’s favour. For Liverpool fans in the UK and Ireland, the next meeting — whether in the knockout stages or another group game — will be a litmus test of whether this is a turning point or just a one-off. Real Madrid still holds the trophy count and historical edge, but the momentum is shifting. Liverpool now faces the real test: proving the 2024 win was no fluke.

For a deeper dive into their past encounters, check out the complete head-to-head record and stats for 2025.

Frequently asked questions