Two of the top clubs in European soccer renew acquaintances Saturday in Saint-Denis, France, as Liverpool meets Real Madrid for the UEFA Champions League crown. This match marks the third time the Reds and Madrid will face off for the title of best soccer team in Europe, with each side winning one of the previous two showdowns — Liverpool in 1981 by a score of 1-0, and Real Madrid in 2018 by a score of 3-1.
Liverpool arrived at this point via a third-place finish in the English Premier League during the 2020-21 season, as well as victories in all six Champions League group-stage matches and wins over Inter Milan, Benfica and Villarreal in the knockout round.