Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admits Real Madrid carry a different aura into Champions League matches than other clubs which can give them a psychological advantage.

The Spanish club have become something of a nemesis for the Reds in recent years, beating them in the 2018 and 2022 finals in a sequence of eight matches in which they have won seven and drawn one.

Liverpool’s last victory over Madrid came in March 2009 when Steven Gerrard (two), Fernando Torres and Andrea Dossena scored in a 4-0 victory.

Slot is facing 15-time champions Real for the first time, as are number of the players who were not even at the club for their last meeting in 2023 when Liverpool led 2-0 after 14 minutes in the home leg of a last-16 first leg tie but went on to lose 5-2.

Two of the four goals Liverpool have scored in the last eight meetings came in that match.

Asked about whether Real have an advantage in that respect Slot said: “I think they might do.

“I cannot talk for all the other teams they face but when I worked at my former club (Feyenoord) I said many times we should take the (example) of Madrid, that they always find a way to win.