Cristiano targets Liverpool and Raúl's goalscoring record

Until only 14 days ago, Real Madrid had never won at Liverpool. Their losses were few, but painful, the final of the European Cup in 1981 (1-0), an unsuccessful rematch at the Bernabeu (0-1) and the blasting at Anfield (4-0). Since two weeks ago, however, Liverpool are no longer a nemesis. The 0-3 victory for Madrid last month at Anfield was not only the worst European defeat suffered by Liverpoolin their stadium, it also meant a territorial and spiritual conquest, something like a historical correction.

Watch it, if you think I am exaggerating. The team that dominated the continent in the late 70s and 80s (four European Cups in that stretch), the club that overcame Real Madrid, will be present at the Bernabéu today as if none of those confrontations existed. I’m not saying that Liverpool should ask for mercy, I would not go that far. It is just a praise for their rival, without an aspiration for the miracles that football give us now and again.

Honourable. For Real Madrid the perspective has changed quickly. Nobody is afraid of Liverpool. Its history and its flavour is maintained. Its honourable status serves to explain that yesterday afternoon at the box office only 33 tickets remained.

However, that is not the full explanation.Madrid have become a spectacle themselves and they no longer need the prestige of their rivals to sell tickets. In the last eleven games, and with few exceptions, the plot is not the victory but by how big of a margin. The goals of Cristiano or the skills of Isco. So the Bernabéu will be full tonight and it will be the same against Rayo on Saturday: there are only 200 tickets left to be sold.

For Liverpool, the worst news is that Madridis not only one game, with momentum and optimism. A win and a tie in Basel will confirm their place in the next round as group winners. If Madrid win, their streak will extend to 12 matches, two more than they managed last season under Ancelotti.

There are more specifics than just group qualification. A goal from Cristiano (who has scored in the last 12 games) would see him match the 71 scored by Raúl in the Champions League, a figure that he could exceed tonight at the age of 29. What does not fall into account is the goal that he scored for United against Hungarian side Debrecan in a qualifying game in 2005-06, as UEFA do not count goals before the draw for the group stage is made.

The Reds have won just two of their last seven games in the Premier League and lost their last match against Newcastle United at the weekend, with Ayoze scoring the winner. Last season they finished second in the league with 101 goals (50 against) and now, after ten matches, they have scored 13 and conceded 13, bad and dismal numbers.

The blame for this has been put on Mario Balotelli, the 20 million striker, who has scored two goals in 13 games. No wonder theLiverpoolfans have been speculating over the names of Cavani and Higuain.

With Gerrard’s powers receding (aged 34) and Sturridge injured (although he still travelled), Liverpool can only boastSterling(19), and he is already imagining his future inMadrid.

Return. Ancelotti now has to think about incorporating Bale back into his starting eleven. The Welshman is now available and will get minutes, probably from the bench. Varane will come in for Pepe alongside Sergio Ramos and Arbeloa will cover Carvajal, who misses out with a hamstring injury.

It is the Champions League, the visitors are honourable and illustrious and it is played at the Bernabéu. But there is more. What I said and what is left to be said: Modric, James, Isco, Benzema…