Real Madrid bus attack only served as 'extra motivation', claims Valverde

The attack on Real Madrid's team bus by Liverpool supporters only served to spur on the Spanish side, claims Federico Valverde.

The LaLiga side saw their coach pelted by object thrown by fans on its way to Anfield on Wednesday night.

The incident saw one of the windows smashed on the bus, but no players or staff members were hurt.

Real Madrid held on for a 0-0 draw on the pitch, a result that was enough to take them through to the Champions League semi-finals at Jurgen Klopp's side's expense.

And Uruguayan midfielder Valverde insists the pre-match ambush only served to spur on himself and his team-mates.

'It was nothing. I come from Penarol, it's normal. It was nothing,' he said after the game.

'It gave us extra motivation, and we thought: "OK, now on the field we are going to go out to kill and to leave everything behind".'

The events on Wednesday evening, which also saw fans congregate in large numbers outside Anfield, were condemned by the Premier League club.

In a statement following the incident, Liverpool said: 'We condemn unequivocally the actions that led to Real Madrid's team bus being damaged during its arrival to Anfield this evening.

'It is totally unacceptable and shameful behaviour of a few individuals. We sincerely apologise to our visitors for any distress caused.

'We will work together with Merseyside Police to establish the facts and identify those responsible.'