Jamie Carragher called Real Madrid one of the 'luckiest teams' to ever win the Champions League when reflecting on last season's final - which Thierry Henry was having none of.
Los Blancos ran out 1-0 winners over Liverpool in Paris back in May to win their 14th major European honour. If you followed their journey last term, you'll know it was against all odds.
Carlo Ancelotti's side completed extraordinary comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City en route to a date with the Reds at the Stade de France.
Madrid are a different animal when it comes to the Champions League. The whole club is seeped in an aura which few have been able to stop.
Advert
Carragher wasn't totally convinced by Real, however. Ahead of the two sides meeting one again in the first leg of their round of 16 tie, the former Liverpool defender interrupted CBS Sport presenter Kate Abdo as she ran down exactly what Madrid accomplished.
"I must say - sorry for interrupting - I think Real Madrid last year are one of the luckiest teams to ever win the Champions League," he declared.
"PSG: they scored two goals with seven minutes to go. Chelsea: they took them to extra-time. Manchester City: they scored two in the last minute. And in the final [Thibaut] Courtois was Man of the Match..."
Henry, who played for bitter rivals Barcelona and even won the Champions League with them in 2009, clearly didn't agree.
The ex-France international hit back with: "When you see that run you can't say they were lucky. Football is 90+ minutes. If you have enough time you can score."
Hours after Carragher's comments, Liverpool were dismantled 5-2 despite going two goals ahead inside 14 minutes. Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah sent Anfield into meltdown early on before a Vinicius Jr. brace brought everyone back down to earth.
Eder Militao headed Madrid in front just after the break before Karim Benzema added two goals of his own to seal a dominant victory.
Post-match, Carragher couldn't hide his frustrations. He said: "Liverpool all season have been an absolute shambles defensively,” Carragher said.
"The midfield doesn’t have the energy anymore, the front three don’t press like before. This Liverpool defence can’t cope.
"Liverpool are 8th in the Premier League and have just been battered 5-2. It’s not acceptable what we’re watching this season. It’s nowhere near good enough."
Topics: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Jamie Carragher, Champions League, Thierry Henry
Daniel Marland