Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has explained why he thinks Liverpool succumbed to a defeat in the Champions League.
The Reds lost 5-2 to the La Liga giants in their last-16 first leg at Anfield on Tuesday night. Despite goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, Liverpool fell to a disappointing defeat, leaving a mountain to climb in the second leg next month.
Calderon was president of Madrid from 2006-09, and was in charge of the club for the £80m signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. He has now spoken about how the Los Blancos were able to defeat Liverpool.
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Tuesday’s game was the first time that Liverpool have conceded five goals at home in the Champions League era.
“No doubt,” Calderon told Talksport, when asked about Madrid’s mental strength being a factor in their victory.
“That is something special for our club. We showed that last season with those three matches in the Champions League by doing something no other team would be able to do.
“And again we showed that last night. It’s true that after 15 minutes we were losing 2-0 in Liverpool, with all the people backing and supporting the club with that atmosphere in Anfield. Amazing.
“I don’t think any other team is able to do something like that. As you said [Madrid] are mentally very, very strong, especially in the Champions League.
“This is our competition. We are always proud of that, and we did it again.”
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