Liverpool 'Struggled To Sleep' Ahead Of 2018 Champions League Final Against Real Madrid - Gareth Bale

Originally posted on FanNation LFC Transfer Room
By Joseph Agbobli | Last updated 6/11/23

Gareth Bale has disclosed that some Liverpool players 'struggled to sleep' ahead of the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kyiv.

Bale scored one of European football's great goals to help the La Liga giants secure a 3-1 win over the Reds and win their third successive Champions League title.

Jurgen Klopp's side suffered an early blow after losing top scorer Mohamed Salah midway through the first half due to a shoulder injury sustained in a challenge with Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.

Six minutes after recess, Real took the lead through Karim Benzema but Liverpool equalised through Sadio Mane before Bale climbed off the bench to score his wonder goal.

The former Wales skipper bagged his brace after Loris Karius fumbled his 30-yard shot to seal Real's victory at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium.

"Just being at Madrid, it's that aura that you expect to win every game," the 33-year-old told BT Sport.

"Even going into a final, even me going there new, I was expecting to win. You know you have the pressure on you, all the people watching, the club's expectations, the fans and the media, but you have that expectation you are going to win. It's hard to explain, you go in and feel like you're a winner already.

"I remember speaking to Adam Lallana after we beat Liverpool in the first game [2018] we played against them in the final. Some of them struggled to sleep, they were nervous about it and we were just like it's another game; we expect to win and beat you, even though you've been playing better than us. We know how to grind out a result, especially in a final."

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