How Andoni Iraola's bold tactical tweak kept Liverpool's crazy Spanish record intact

For years, a Champions League draw against Real Madrid felt like a familiar warning sign for Liverpool supporters. The memories of European glory were increasingly overshadowed by repeated heartbreak, with Spanish opposition becoming a persistent thorn in the Reds’ side.

Few defeats captured that frustration better than Liverpool’s 2023 round-of-16 tie against Real Madrid. After racing into a 2-0 lead at Anfield, the Reds watched their advantage disappear in a devastating 5-2 defeat before losing 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu. What began as a night of promise ended with another painful reminder of Liverpool’s struggles against Spanish opposition.

Now, however, the narrative is changing.

Liverpool have won six consecutive Champions League matches against La Liga clubs following their dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Villarreal at Anfield. Under both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola, the Reds have turned a historically difficult European matchup into a source of confidence.

The latest victory offered a fitting illustration of that shift. Liverpool's Spanish manager made six changes to his starting XI, handing opportunities to Kostas Tsimikas, Lewis Koumas, Cody Gakpo, Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch and Rio Ngumoha. His faith in the squad was tested when Villarreal raced into a two-goal lead, but Liverpool responded with the resilience and attacking urgency needed to turn the game around.

Alexis Mac Allister provided the inspiration, while Ngumoha’s direct running injected fresh energy into the attack. Nyoni also offered additional protection in midfield as Liverpool fought their way back into the contest. It was another reminder that the Basque manager's willingness to make bold selection decisions can pay dividends when the pressure is at its highest.

More importantly, the result extended a run that now stretches well beyond one memorable night.

Liverpool’s six consecutive victories against Spanish opposition comprise wins over Villarreal (4-3), Atlético Madrid (2-1), Real Madrid (1-0), Atlético Madrid (3-2), Girona (1-0) and Real Madrid (2-0). Five have come at Anfield, with the victory over Girona representing the only away success.

The contrast with Liverpool’s recent European history is striking. Real Madrid defeated the Reds in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals, eliminated them in the 2021 quarter-finals and completed their 2023 round-of-16 demolition.

Atlético Madrid added to the misery by knocking Liverpool out in 2020, while Barcelona’s 3-0 semi-final first-leg victory in 2019 left Jürgen Klopp’s side facing an almost impossible task before their famous comeback.

Across Liverpool’s ten Champions League matches against Spanish opposition immediately before the current streak, they won just four and lost five. Even their successes against Villarreal in the 2022 semi-finals came after years of disappointment against Spanish sides on the biggest stage.

That history makes the current sequence more than a statistical curiosity. Liverpool have repeatedly demonstrated that they can compete with Europe’s elite; the challenge has been turning those performances into victories when the stakes are highest.

Six wins in succession suggest that particular obstacle is beginning to disappear.

The next test will be carrying that confidence into the knockout rounds. Paris Saint-Germain have eliminated Liverpool in each of the past two campaigns, proving that a strong record against one group of opponents offers no guarantees against another.

Nevertheless, should Liverpool draw Spanish opposition again, they will approach the tie with a very different mindset.

The clubs that once seemed to have the Reds’ number may no longer inspire the same dread. Under Iraola, Liverpool are not simply surviving Champions League encounters with Spanish sides. They are winning them.

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