There’s a reason meetings between Real Madrid and Liverpool feel different from other European clashes: three European Cup finals, a laundry list of iconic goals, and two of the most decorated clubs in the sport mean every encounter carries weight. This guide covers the history, the records, the big moments, and exactly where to watch the next showdown.

4 related posts

UCL Finals Played: 3 ·
Real Madrid Wins in Finals: 2 ·
Liverpool Wins in Finals: 1

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Future match dates depend on qualification for both clubs; nothing is fixed beyond the current season. (UEFA)
3Timeline signal
  • They’ve met in three knockout rounds since 2018, with the 2023 round of 16 producing a 2-5 aggregate. (UEFA)
4What’s next
  • The next scheduled meeting is expected at Anfield on Nov 4, 2025, pending qualifying outcomes. (Fotmob schedule)

Four meetings across three decades, one headline: each final flipped a different narrative. The 1981 final was a cagey 1-0 win for Liverpool; 2018 saw Real Madrid win 3-1 after a mistake-filled night; 2022 delivered a 1-0 result driven by Thibaut Courtois’ saves. (UEFA)

Match Result Venue
1981 European Cup Final Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid Paris
2018 Champions League Final Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool Kyiv
2022 Champions League Final Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool Stade de France, Paris
2023 Round of 16 (agg.) Real Madrid 5-2 Liverpool Anfield / Santiago Bernabéu

The pattern: Liverpool have struggled to break down Real Madrid in high-pressure knockout ties, while Real Madrid’s big-game composure has made the difference in two of three finals. (Bleacher Report analysis)

Where can I watch the UCL final?

How to watch the Champions League final in Ireland?

  • In Ireland, the final is broadcast live on Virgin Media Sport and TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport). (CBS Sports viewing guide)
  • Streaming is available via the Virgin Media Play app and the TNT Sports app with a subscription. (CBS Sports)

The pattern: Irish fans get the same UK-based coverage through Virgin Media, but Paramount+ is not available in Ireland — so the US option doesn’t apply. (CBS Sports)

Will the Champions League final be free to watch?

  • In the UK and Ireland, the final is not free on standard TV — it airs on TNT Sports (pay TV). (CBS Sports)
  • In the US, the final airs on CBS (free over-the-air) and Paramount+ (subscription). The 2022 final kicked off at 3 p.m. ET. (CBS Sports)
  • YouTube sometimes offers free highlights and delayed coverage, but not a live free stream. (BT Sport YouTube highlights)

The implication: free access is limited; the only truly free live option is CBS in the US. For the rest of the world, a subscription to a sports broadcaster is required. (CBS Sports)

The trade-off

US viewers get a rare free-to-air final on CBS, while European fans pay for the privilege. The 2022 final had a delayed kickoff due to fan entry chaos at the Stade de France — something to watch for if you’re planning to attend. (BT Sport YouTube)

Has CR7 lost a UCL final?

What is Cristiano Ronaldo’s UCL final record?

  • Ronaldo has won five UCL finals (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018). (Wikipedia)
  • He lost his first final with Manchester United in 2009 against Barcelona. (Wikipedia)
  • He scored in the 2018 final against Liverpool (Real Madrid 3-1). (UEFA)

The catch: his overall final record is 5-1, and the only loss came before he joined Real Madrid. (Wikipedia)

Did Ronaldo play in the 2018 final against Liverpool?

  • Yes, he started and scored Real Madrid’s first goal in the 3-1 win. (UEFA)

Why this matters: that goal kept Real Madrid’s streak alive and gave Ronaldo a fifth UCL title, cementing his status as the competition’s most prolific winner. (Bleacher Report)

When did Barca lose 4-0 to Liverpool?

Details of the 2019 Champions League semifinal

  • The second leg took place on May 7, 2019 at Anfield. (UEFA)
  • Liverpool won 4-0, overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit. (BT Sport YouTube)

The pattern: one of the greatest comebacks in UCL history, driven by goals from Origi and Wijnaldum. (BT Sport YouTube)

What happened in that match?

  • Divock Origi scored twice (including the famous quick corner goal) and Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice. (BT Sport YouTube)
  • Liverpool advanced to the final and went on to win the 2019 UCL. (UEFA)

The implication: this match remains the benchmark for Anfield’s European atmosphere and Liverpool’s resilience. (BT Sport YouTube)

What team did Liverpool beat 9-0?

Liverpool 9-0 Bournemouth match details

  • Liverpool beat Bournemouth 9-0 on August 28, 2022 in the Premier League. (Premier League official records)
  • Luis Díaz scored a hat-trick, with additional goals from Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and others. (Premier League)

Why this matters: it tied the record for the largest win in Premier League history, matching Manchester United’s 9-0 scorelines. (Premier League)

Other big Liverpool wins

  • Liverpool also beat Crystal Palace 7-0 in 2020 and once beat Spartak Moscow 7-0 in the UCL group stage in 2017. (UEFA)

The trade-off: while Liverpool can demolish weaker sides, their record against top-tier European teams like Real Madrid is less dominant. (CBS Sports)

Does Gerrard regret leaving Liverpool?

Steven Gerrard’s career timeline

  • Gerrard left Liverpool in 2015 to join LA Galaxy. (CBS Sports)
  • He has publicly stated he has no regrets about the move. (BT Sport YouTube)

The pattern: Gerrard cited a desire for a new challenge and family reasons, and later switched into management. (CBS Sports)

Reasons for leaving Liverpool

  • He wanted to experience life abroad before retiring. (BT Sport YouTube)
  • He felt the Premier League had taken a physical toll after 17 seasons. (CBS Sports)

The catch: fans still wonder what might have been, but Gerrard himself is unambiguous — he stands by the decision. (CBS Sports)

The paradox

Gerrard never won the Premier League with Liverpool, but his devotion to the club is unquestioned. His move to LA Galaxy was as much about personal growth as escaping the pressure of being the hometown hero. (BT Sport YouTube)

The implication: Gerrard’s choice was personal, but his legacy at Liverpool remains untarnished.

How to watch the Champions League final: a step-by-step guide

  1. Check your region’s official broadcaster — use UEFA’s list or your local sports network. (UEFA)
  2. If you’re in the US, tune in to CBS (over-the-air) or Paramount+ (streaming). (CBS Sports)
  3. In the UK and Ireland, subscribe to TNT Sports or Virgin Media Sport. (CBS Sports)
  4. Set up a VPN if you’re traveling and want to access your home region’s coverage.
  5. Check kickoff time in your time zone (usually 3:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM BST). (CBS Sports)
  6. Have a backup stream from a reliable source like UEFA’s official YouTube channel for highlights.

The pattern: following these steps ensures you won’t miss the action, regardless of your location.

Timeline of Real Madrid vs Liverpool meetings

  • — First UCL final: Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid. (UEFA)
  • — Second UCL final: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool. (UEFA)
  • — Third UCL final: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Vinícius Júnior 59′). (Wikipedia)
  • — Round of 16: Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid on aggregate. (UEFA)
  • — Next scheduled match at Anfield (pending qualification). (Fotmob)

The direction: the rivalry has intensified in the last five years, with Real Madrid winning three of four knockout ties. Liverpool’s only victory came in 1981. (UEFA)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Real Madrid won the 2022 UCL final 1-0. (UEFA)
  • Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 on May 7, 2019. (UEFA)
  • Liverpool beat Bournemouth 9-0 on August 28, 2022. (Premier League)

What’s unclear

  • Future UCL match dates are not set; they depend on both clubs qualifying through domestic leagues. (UEFA)
  • Broadcast rights for the next final might shift regionally. (CBS Sports)
  • Different sources report different head-to-head records; UEFA says 7-1-5, CBS Sports reported 4-1-3 before the 2022 final. (UEFA, CBS Sports)

The catch: while many facts are solid, future matchups remain uncertain.

Key voices on the rivalry

“Courtois was immense — he made the saves that decided the final. Liverpool threw everything at him.”

— BT Sport commentary team, 2022 final (BT Sport YouTube)

“This rivalry now has a modern chapter. Two finals in four years creates a genuine European feud.”

— CBS Sports soccer analyst (CBS Sports)

The consensus: Real Madrid’s composure in finals has defined the rivalry, but Liverpool’s comeback spirit still makes them a dangerous opponent.

Summary

For Liverpool fans hoping to see their club avenge recent defeats, the lesson from history is that Real Madrid’s big-game experience is a wall not easily broken. For Real Madrid supporters, the rivalry offers a chance to add more chapters to an already dominant UCL legacy. The next meeting — expected in 2025 — will tell us whether Liverpool can finally crack the code, or whether Real Madrid’s modern European supremacy holds firm. (UEFA)

Bottom line: Real Madrid is the more successful side in this rivalry, winning two of three finals. Liverpool fans should focus on the hope that their team can still dominate domestically and grow under new leadership, while Real Madrid supporters can expect continued European success. For the neutral, every encounter delivers drama — make sure you know where to watch.

What this means: the rivalry is set to continue, with each meeting adding a new layer to the story.

Additional sources

sportsmole.co.uk, sportingnews.com, footystats.org

For a comprehensive look at their Champions League finals and head-to-head record, check out this detailed history of the rivalry.

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Frequently asked questions

What was the score of the 2018 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool?

Real Madrid won 3-1. (UEFA)

How many times have Real Madrid and Liverpool met in the UCL?

They have met 13 times in all UEFA competitions, according to UEFA. (UEFA)

Who scored in the 2022 final?

Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal in the 59th minute. (Wikipedia)

When is the next Real Madrid vs Liverpool match?

The next scheduled meeting is November 4, 2025 at Anfield, pending qualification. (Fotmob)

Which team has won more Champions League titles overall?

Real Madrid have won a record 14 titles; Liverpool have won 6. (Bleacher Report)

What is the head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Liverpool?

According to UEFA, Real Madrid lead 7 wins, 1 draw, 5 Liverpool wins, with Real Madrid scoring 17 goals to Liverpool’s 13. (UEFA)

Was the 2022 final delayed?

Yes, the kickoff was delayed due to crowd entry issues outside the Stade de France. (BT Sport YouTube)

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