Liverpool’s goal-laden Champions League campaign breaks Barcelona record… but how does the Reds’ European season compare to other big-scoring greats?


LIVERPOOL broke the Champions League record for most goals scored with their two early strikes against Roma.

The Reds lost 4-2 on the night, but still progressed to the final to take on Real Madrid with a breathless 7-6 aggregate victory.

Liverpool beat Roma to reach the Champions League final and break the competition goal-scoring record set by Barcelona in 1999-2000 in the process
Liverpool beat Roma to reach the Champions League final and break the goal-scoring record set by Barcelona in 1999-2000 in the process
PA:Press Association

Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum both found the net at the Stadio Olimpico – as Liverpool scored their 45th and 46th goals of the 2017-18 European campaign.

In doing so, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds broke the record for goals scored in a single Champions League campaign, set by Barcelona in the 1999-2000 season.

But how does Liverpool’s current campaign, with one game still to go, compare to the other high-scoring greats of the competition’s history? Find out below…

LIVERPOOL – 2017-18

Liverpool have already scored 46 times, with the final still to come
Liverpool have already scored 46 times, with the final still to come
Getty

Goals scored: 46

Top scorers: Mo Salah & Roberto Firmino (10), Sadio Mane (9)

Result: Final vs Real Madrid to be played on May 26

LIVERPOOL almost weren’t in this season’s Champions League… being forced to qualify.

The Reds stuck six past Firmino’s former club Hoffenheim across two legs though to break into the big-time.

Klopp and Co went on to score 23 times in just six group games – including seven goals against Maribor and Spartak Moscow.


GOAL KINGS Liverpool break Barcelona’s Champions League goal scoring record as Wijnaldum makes it 46 for season


Liverpool have only failed to score in one Champions League game this season – a 0-0 draw against Porto in the last-16 – but have been prolific elsewhere.

Five goals away to the Porto were followed by five more across two legs against Man City – before sticking seven past Roma to reach the final.

Their current total sits at 46 and with one game to play – against a potentially vulnerable defence – the Reds will be licking their lips at the prospect of a few more in the final against Real Madrid.

BARCELONA – 1999-2000

Barcelona had set the goal-scoring record in the 1999-2000 season with 45 goals
Barcelona had set the goal-scoring record in the 1999-2000 season with 45 goals
Getty

Goals scored: 45

Top scorer: Rivaldo (10), Patrick Kluivert (7), Luis Enrique (6)

Result: Semi-Finals

PRIOR to Liverpool’s barnstorming campaign, Barcelona had held the goal-scoring record for nearly two decades.

That season, Barca scored 19 times as they topped Group B – with Arsenal in third – in the first group stage.

The second group stage saw the La Liga giants scored a further 17 times en route to the quarter-finals.

A Rivaldo-inspired Barcelona then stuck six past Chelsea in two legs as they progressed to the semi-finals after extra-time, only to lose to Valencia.

REAL MADRID – 2013-14

Real Madrid scored 41 times as they won the 2013-14 title
Real Madrid scored 41 times as they won the 2013-14 title
Getty

Goals scored: 41

Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (17), Gareth Bale (6), Karim Benzema (5)

Result: Champions

WITH Ronaldo in absolutely peak form, it was almost inevitable Real Madrid would score for fun in 2013-14.

CR7 ended up with a record-shattering 17 goals that season as Los Blancos won the tournament.

Having scored 20 goals in topping Group B, the Spanish giants then stuck nine past Schalke in the last-16.

A further three game against Borussia Dortmund in the last-eight, five against Bayern Munich in the semis and four in the final against rivals Atletico Madrid, after extra-time.

MAN UNITED – 2002-03

Man United scored 37 times in 2002-03 , thanks to Ruud van Nistelrooy's goals
Man United scored 37 times in 2002-03 , thanks to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s goals
AP:Associated Press

Goals scored: 37

Top scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy (12), Ryan Giggs & Juan Sebastian Veron (4)

Result: Quarter-Finals

SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S men scored 16 times as they stormed to the top of Group F in the first group stage.

United then mustered just 11 in the second group stage – still finishing top, ahead of Juventus.

The Premier League giants then lost to Real Madrid in the last-eight, losing 6-5 in a thrilling quarter-final tie.

REAL MADRID – 2016-17

Real Madrid once again found the net with regularity as they won the Champions League last season, beating Juventus 4-1 in the final
Real Madrid once again found the net with regularity as they won the Champions League last season, beating Juventus 4-1 in the final
Rex Features

Goals scored: 36

Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (12), Karim Benzema (5)

Result: Champions

LAST season, Real slipped to second, behind Borussia Dortmund, in Group F – but still managed to find the back of the net 16 times.

They found things much easier in the knockout stages though, sticking six past both Napoli and Bayern Munich, before scored four against Atleti in the semis.

Another four goals came in the final in Cardiff against Juventus as they were once more crowned champions.


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