Real Madrid are set to take on Liverpool in the Champions League final on May 28 at the Stade de France. Ahead of the game, Reds legend and all-time top scorer (336) Ian Rush shared his thoughts.
He believes that the prospect of playing any final is great, but there is nothing better than a UCL final. Speaking in an interview with William Hill, he did not hold back and issued a warning to the La Liga champions. Los Blancos defeated Liverpool 3-1 in the 2018 Champions League final and Rush believes that a payback is on for the Reds.
The 60-year-old said:
"It’s great to get to any final but to get to the Champions League final… Most people probably didn’t expect Real Madrid, most people probably expected Manchester City. But it’s Real Madrid, they beat us a few years ago, so I think it’s a bit of payback time."
The Liverpool legend was quick to recall the unbelievable run Los Blancos have had in the tournament, constructing one comeback after another. He said:
“It’s going to be a very tight game. When you look at Madrid, they’ve been down in so many games – Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City. They’re a team that never gives up so nothing is going to surprise me in this game."
Rush believes it would be foolish to take any advantage for granted against them.
"I think there will be goals in it. But if we go 2-0, 3-0 up, don’t take things for granted as we’ve seen what Real Madrid can do – they are the comeback kings.” he added.
Liverpool legend thinks Real Madrid have an advantage preparing for the UCL Final
The Reds are challenging for a quadruple this season. They won the EFL CUP against Chelsea in February and will play the Blues again in the FA Cup final on May 14. Following their qualification to the Champions League final, Jurgen Klopp's men ensured that they would play every potential game they could have played this season.
The 60-year-old acknowledges that it is a remarkable feat and that the Merseyside club have every chance of writing history by winning the quadruple. He said:
"It’s just an enormous achievement. Liverpool going for four competitions, it’s relatively unheard of. It would be a magnificent achievement if they could win them all and I wouldn’t put it past them."
However, Real Madrid have already been crowned champions of La Liga with four games remaining in the campaign. Carlo Ancelotti has the luxury of rotating players and playing his non-regular starters in the Spanish top-flight to keep the focus on the encounter in Paris.
Rush feels that, especially after their unbelievable comeback against Pep Guardiola's side in the semi-final, Los Blancos will be in high spirits. He said:
Boeanoprsy
495
all this talk from Liverpool is because they think they have the better team lol we'll do our talking on the pitch
Caccio
318
Liverpool debt will surely increase... how many times Madrid will beat u before u payback?
RajinderBajwa
273
Beating Inter twice to finish top of the group isn't luck. Thibaut Courtois saving Messi's penalty isn't luck. Luka Modric running 50 yards with the ball at 37 to make the goal isn't luck. Benzema scoring a hattrick with elite finishes against PSG in 20 minutes isn't luck. Scoring 2 incredibly difficult headers against the UCL Champions at their home isn't luck. Modric's pinpoint trivela pass to Rodrygo isn't luck. Benzema's clinical header in extra time isn't luck. Having the mental fortitude to comeback against a comeback isn't luck. Benzema finishing a 0.002xG chance on his weak foot isn't luck. Vinicius spinning his man and running 50 yard to score a solo goal isn't luck. Rodrygo coming on and scoring twice in injury time isn't luck. Benzema scoring two ice cold penalties in the tie isn't luck. They are all aligned against us. Thr entirety of English media, Barcelona, PSG, and the whole of the Premier league. Luck, they say. You weren't better than any team, they say. Liverpool will finish you off, they say. I will just say one thing. Esto es Madrid ⚪
pukbmrsyz
109
It's funny how Liverpool talks about payback time when they already met Madrid 2 times since the 2018 final only to collect another Loan
Lohit14
72
That night In Kiev we Liverpool were devestated its a complete different Liverpool they will be playing in Kiev karius was at fault last year all our defence were out this time its different all our defence is fit mane Salah Diaz jota are In red hot form vvd is a colossus again and we have Alisson easily one of the top 3 keepers in the world and one more important thing we have momentum with us and everyone in the club believes they can win champions league yes real Madrid are THE European royalty but we aren't any less compared to them we are also European royalty go reds with belief we can win this
pamikoruyz
17
the number champions league Real Madrid has is more than the total number of champions league English team have put together and yet they will never keep quit .