'There will be a 12th man in...': Terry Phelan cautions Real Madrid ahead of Liverpool clash in Champions League
Liverpool have been enduring a forgettable season in Premier League, where they managed only two wins since start of this year to sit in the eighth spot in the points table, 19 points behind leaders Arsenal. But former Manchester City defender Terry Phelan admitted that at Anfield, Liverpool has always been a different beast.
An under-fire Liverpool side is all set to renew their rivalry with Real Madrid in the round of 16 stage of the 2022/23 Champions League season at a very decisive stage of their season, where they have been affected by problems aplenty both on and off the field. Yet there was a word of caution for Real Madrid, the defending Champions League winner, by former Manchester City defender Terry Phelan, as Carlo Ancelotti's side head to Anfield.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti (REUTERS)
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Liverpool have been enduring a forgettable season in Premier League, where they managed only two wins since start of this year to sit in the eighth spot in the points table, 19 points behind leaders Arsenal. But Phelan admitted that at Anfield, Liverpool has always been a different beast.
"When Liverpool plays Real Madrid in Anfield on Champions League night, there will be a 12th man in. I don't think anybody likes going to Anfield on Champions League night because it is a different atmosphere," Phelan replied to a query from Hindustan Times during a media interaction ahead of the Champions League clash.
Despite Liverpool's dominance in Anfield, they have struggled against Madrid in European competitions. After grabbing three wins in three matches between 1981 and 2009, Liverpool have been winless in six games against the Spanish giants, with five of those ending in defeat. Two of those defeats came in 2018 and 2022 finals.
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Despite Liverpool's dominance in Anfield, they have struggled against Madrid in European competitions. After grabbing three wins in three matches between 1981 and 2009, Liverpool have been winless in six games against the Spanish giants, with five of those ending in defeat. Two of those defeats came in 2018 and 2022 finals.
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Phelan however enlisted problems aplenty that has troubled Liverpool including injuries. The Reds, will in fact, be without the services of Calvin Ramsay, Luis Diaz, Arthur Melo, Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara due to injuries in the match against Madrid.
“Yes Liverpool are struggling, they are conceding goals and they have had terrible injuries and that is what has hampered them. Van Djik is injured, Mo Salah is not fighting enough and he is lacking that confidence and the back four is not clicking together, the midfield is struggling to find their feet and their high-press game is quite working for them at this moment. They will be playing a fantastic team in Real Madrid, who are second in LaLiga. For Liverpool, if they can win the first game, they will have a great chance because we know of their potential in Champions League,” he explained.
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When asked what his advice would be for Liverpool, Phelan laughed before replying, “Stop conceding goals!”
[Watch the LIVE coverage of the UEFA Champions League – Liverpool vs Real Madrid on Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) and Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil and Telugu) channels at 1:30 am IST on 22nd February 2023]
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Sports/Football/'There will be a 12th man in': Real Madrid cautioned ahead of Liverpool clash
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