Real Madrid bus window smashed outside Anfield as Liverpool fans gather

Posted Thursday, April 15, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk

Real Madrid were making their way to Liverpool's Anfield stadium for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, with the Spanish giants leading 3-1

Real Madrid have had their bus window smashed by stones as they made their way to Liverpool's Anfield stadium for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

The Spanish giants will kick off in Merseyside with a 3-1 lead from the first leg of the European fixture.

But they had a brutal welcome to the city from the Anfield faithful, with footage emerging on social media.

One clip showed supporters lining the streets as the Madrid bus made its way down, booing and letting off fireworks in the video.

But another clip showed the bus parked at Liverpool's ground, with a window on the right side completely smashed.

Real Madrid bus window smashed outside Anfield as Liverpool fans gather
Real Madrid had a window of their bus broken by stones as they travelled to face Liverpool

While fan outlet The Madrid Zone reported on Twitter that the bus had been "smashed by stones" on the way to Anfield.

But Liverpool have released a statement, saying: "We condemn unequivocally the actions that led to Real Madrid’s team bus being damaged during its arrival to Anfield this evening.

"It is totally unacceptable and shameful behaviour of a few individuals.

"We sincerely apologise to our visitors for any distress caused. We will work together with Merseyside Police to establish the facts and identify those responsible.”

And fans of the Spanish giants slammed their Champions League hosts for their fans' behaviour.

"These people have an obsession with buses," one said.

Real Madrid bus window smashed outside Anfield as Liverpool fans gather
Fans lined the streets to give a brutal welcome to the bus, with a stone breaking one of the windows

Another commented: "Animals."

While a third made a prediction that quickly came true, with: "Tell me some f***ing divy didn't smash a window in the bus."

Liverpool have all the work to do at Anfield as they have to overturn a 3-1 defeat from last week's visit to the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.

The show was run by Vinicius Jr, who grabbed goals in either half as Marco Asensio finished off a lethal counter-attack before half-time.

Real Madrid bus window smashed outside Anfield as Liverpool fans gather
The Spanish side are looking to avoid an upset against the Reds, taking a 3-1 lead into the fixture

Real Madrid bus window smashed outside Anfield as Liverpool fans gather
Madrid's stars were not harmed, turning out on the pitch for warm-ups ahead of the game

Mohamed Salah, though, gave the Premier League side a vital away goal when he picked up the ball from Diogo Jota's mazy run at the restart.

But the Reds have a strong history of comebacks in European football, having beaten Madrid's rivals Barcelona 4-0 in the 2019 semi-finals after going 3-0 down at the Nou Camp.

And the Spanish giants are depleted in their squad, with Zinedine Zidane forced to make changes to his bench.

While Klopp's squad will look to use their 2-1 comeback win against Aston Villa from the weekend for inspiration.