Luis Garcia has admitted Real Madrid are the one team Liverpool cannot afford to underestimate as the two sides prepare to face off in the final of the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp's men booked their place in Paris for the showpiece fixture after overcoming Inter Milan, Benfica and Villarreal in the knockout phase of the competition. Madrid, on the other hand, were victorious against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City despite appearing rather unconvincing in each of their ties en route to the final.
Facing off against the most successful side in Europe's elite competition would be a daunting prospect for many, though Liverpool have been in this position four years ago in Kyiv. Beaten 3-1 that evening in Ukraine, the Reds will be out for revenge on this occasion and head into this rematch as the favourites to prevail as winners.
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The worry with Los Blancos is that they have found a way to win at the highest level, even when looking dead in the water, and have won 13 out of their 16 finals in the European Cup. The last time Madrid lost at this stage of the tournament was, ironically, against Liverpool in Paris 41 years ago.
Commenting on the sense of prestige associated with Carlo Ancelotti's side in the Champions League and the danger this could pose, Garcia told the ECHO: "Against Real Madrid you never know because we've seen City, Chelsea, PSG - different styles and ways of playing - and they managed to get results."
"Of course," added the former Reds forward on whether Real's determined mindset in finals is a worry. "We've seen it. There's no other team that has won the competition three times in a row, there is no team that has managed to get 13 European Cups. If there's one team you have to worry about in the final, it's Real Madrid.
"I think they would have been more afraid had the knockout stage for Real Madrid been different. It looked like they were not in the best moment and I don't know how they managed to pull off results and make comebacks against amazing teams. It is very difficult to see this team out of the competition. (Mohamed) Salah made a point of saying 'we want Real Madrid' because of what happened back then and I think it is going to be a great game. Liverpool will need to bring their A-game because you cannot put Madrid on the side for any minute because they will come back.
"They [Real Madrid fans] know Liverpool is one of the toughest teams you can find in the competition because of the rhythm they put on the game and the amazing strike force they have up front. It looks like the team is very balanced with Fabinho in the middle. Thiago has been in fantastic form and we all know (Joel) Matip, (Ibrahima) Konate and (Virgil) Van Dijk have been in great form. They know it's going to be a tough game and they have to do well if they want to hold this Liverpool side, but it's going to be open."
One player Reds fans will be sweating on the fitness of ahead of this weekend's showdown is Thiago, an individual who is no stranger to shaping up against the recently-crowned La Liga champions. The Spanish midfielder began his professional career at Barcelona and will likely play a major role in midfield if deemed available for selection.
The 31-year-old has proven many of his doubters wrong this season, though Garcia had no doubts the seven-time Bundesliga winner would be a success at Anfield. "There was a lot of talking," joked the 2005 Champions League winner of the criticism that came Thiago's way during his debut campaign.
"Many people didn't know much about Thiago and his quality, the way he played at Bayern and how he grew up at Barcelona. He is a special player and, when he's on the ball, he is one of the best. The injuries didn't help him either and now we can see what Thiago can bring to this team - that quality and creativity and ability to find the spaces.
"Real Madrid know him very well and that they're going to have to bring the best of (Toni) Kroos and (Luka) Modric. They need to be well-organised because the pace Liverpool has up front and the way they interact between the attack and midfield is very intense. If they bring that to Real Madrid, it's going to be difficult for them as they're not used to that style and they like to control the game."
