Cristiano Ronaldo knows that when he rolls up at Liverpool, he will be given the opportunity of forever etching his name into the UEFA Champions League history books.
Real Madrid are set to face last season's English Premier League runners-up on Wednesday, at Anfield, as Los Blancos look to record their third consecutive win in the group-stage.
The 10-time champions return to the field where they unforgettably lost 4-0 back in 2009, a chance for the La Liga giant to banish that awful memories from their mind and inflict revenge upon the Merseyside club. Ronaldo, however, has his eyes on a totally different prize.
The Portuguese ace, who has been in fire form since the beginning of the season, scoring 15 goals in eight matches in the Spanish Primera Division, will be aiming at breaking Raul's all-time Champions League goalscoring record.
Real Madrid eying revenge against Liverpool when they meet at Anfield, on Wednesday
"@FootballFunnys: Last time Liverpool played Real Madrid.. pic.twitter.com/g2Ts3J3Y0W" there will be sweet revenge tho
— 1/6 (@LosBlancosBruno) August 28, 2014
CR7, however, will be looking to break Raul's UCL record, especially after seeing Messi draw level with him in the race to score a record-breaking goal No.72
Messi has tied Cristiano Ronaldo for 2nd on the Champions League scoring list, now just 2 behind Raul. What can CR7 do tomorrow at Anfield?
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 21, 2014
Here is how things look now
UPDATE | All-time goalscorers in the main tournament of the Champions League pic.twitter.com/TGXKu2luqY
— MESSISTATS (@MessiStats) October 21, 2014
The record, currently at 71 goals, is only two strikes out of the former Manchester United attacker's reach, meaning a hat-trick against Brendan Rodgers' side will be enough to see him surpass the Real Madrid and La Furia Roja legend.
Of course, only 29 years old, breaking Raul's record is only a matter of time for the Portugal captain. However, after seeing Barcelona star Lionel Messi go level with his tally of 69 goals, there is a sense of urgency to see who leapfrogs Raul first.
The Portuguese star needs a hat-trick to beat Raul's UCL record of 71 goals. Given the Blancos ace's form, that could probably happen...
Cristiano Ronaldo needs 3 goals to beat Raúl's european goalscoring record. On his form he could do it tonight against Liverpool. #HatTrick
— Matt Newton (@TheMattNewton94) October 22, 2014
This, though, may not be easy for the two-time Ballon d'Or winner to achieve. Ronaldo, who holds the record for most number of goals in a single Champions League campaign, at 17, never managed to find the net at Anfield during his six-year spell at Old Trafford.
Liverpool's home ground has proved a tough place for Cristiano, something former Reds defender Alvaro Arbeloa reflected upon in these pre-match comments:
“Even Cristiano has mentioned in the past this is the most difficult ground he has visited, in his days in the Premier League.
"We know their crowd will make an incredible atmosphere. I know they didn’t play as well as expected at the weekend, but even if they lost 10-0 at QPR, I would still be coming here worried."
The 29-year-old Real Madrid star never scored at Liverpool's home ground during his six years at Man United
On form @Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored against @LFC at Anfield. Can he break the #TheAnfieldCurse later? pic.twitter.com/upt1qjDPoe
— Top Eleven (@topeleven) October 22, 2014
Ronaldo training in the snow at Anfield. Will he be able to break his Liverpool goalscoring-curse, net a hat-trick, and surpass Raul's record?
