Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid may be struggling to wake up on Tuesday morning after Liverpool supporters fired off fireworks outside of their hotel in Merseyside at 2am. The Spanish giants arrived on Monday and checked into the Innside Liverpool Hotel, but their sleep was interrupted in the wee hours. On the eve of the big game, fireworks are seen being set off nearby in a video that was shared online in an attempt to awaken the Real players.
This ploy is frequently used by fans, especially before significant games. Liverpool supporters pulled the same stunt in 2019 before their historic 4-0 victory over Barcelona at Anfield. However, Real, a team with a wealth of winning the the Champions League 14 time times is unlikely to be affected by the antics of the Liverpool fans, despite being on the back of having a difficult season when they play the first leg.
Liverpool eyeing to exact revenge of two lost finals against Real
Although Real Madrid were crowned as world champions when they lifted the Club World Cup earlier this month, their domestic struggles have continued. They are eight points behind fierce rivals Barcelona in La Liga and look set to lose their title to the Blaugrana. The Champions League might now be their only real chance of winning another trophy this year, and once again successfully defend their title.
However, Liverpool fans too seem determined to everything in their limits to make sure that their team doesn’t lose to the Los Blancos once again in the competition. The Reds have already lost two finals against Real in the Champions League in the last five years, with the latest defeat coming in the last season’s finale when Vinicius Junior’s sole striker prevailed for the Spanish champions.
The Los Blancos defeated Jurgen Klopp’s team nine months ago in the final in Paris, and they are seeking vengeance. In a video posted on social media platform Twitter, the Reds supporters attempted to give Real Madrid players a bad night’s rest the night before the huge game. Fireworks being set off in front of the Innside Liverpool Hotel on the Albert Dock are captured in the video.
Liverpool fans set off fireworks outside Real Madrid’s hotel at 2am last night.
Pumped already.
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) February 21, 2023
This is not the first time Liverpool supporters have looked to seek some advantage through such antics as they had applied the same trick to Real’s rivals Barcelona ahead of their semifinal second-leg match in the 2018/19 season. The strategy was successful then, as Liverpool overcame a 3-0 first-leg deficit to win 4-0 and then go on to defeat Tottenham in the final.
However, the reason behind Liverpool fans taking support of such measures is their own struggles domestically. The Merseyside club currently sits eighth in the Premier League, facing a risk of missing out on a top four qualification, and are also out of the two cup competitions of the FA Cup and the League Cup. Likewise Madrid, Liverpool too now are hoping to turnaround their season by aiming at glory in the Champions League.