Matchday LIVE: Real Madrid v Liverpool and Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund in UEFA Champions League action

But before then, there's the small matter of two more Champions League quarter-final first legs to get through - and you can join us here again tomorrow for all the fun and games that entails too! It's the same time too, a 20:00 BST kick-off for both fixtures. In one, Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea will look to bounce back from that shock Premier League defeat against West Brom when they travel to neutral Spain to face Porto. And the other? Well, it's only a 2020 Champions League final rematch, as holders Bayern Munich entertain beaten finalists Paris Saint-Germain. You don't want to miss it. Thank you for joining us - and we'll see you next time out!

...Until tomorrow

So then. This is how it stands. Manchester City and Real Madrid head to Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool respectively holding one and two-goal leads. Victory or a draw will be more than enough for either of them. But defeat makes it a bit more thorny. For City, a one-nil loss without scoring in Germany would see their journey come to a crashing close once again. Madrid have more breathing room, but will be wary of what a wounded Reds side can do on Merseyside. Yet the chances of both sides drawing blanks on the road seems slim. The onus then is on Dortmund and Liverpool - it's down to them to chase this game as much as it is for their opponents to close it down. It hangs in the balance.

Next week...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Klopp confirms Keita sub was tactical. "Naby was not responsible for the performance in the first half. He was not good in the game, but I could have made a few more changes in that moment. I did it, and now I'm not happy about it because we talk as if it was Naby's fault."— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) <a href="https://twitter.com/neiljonesgoal/status/1379545099382759424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Klopp expands on Keita call

You could compile some pretty diverse power rankings on the results tonight, but just about the only two things that can be universally agreed on are that it was a bad time for Liverpool and a great one for Vinicius Junior. Rik Sharma has delivered his thoughts on just how that first leg has played out with a bit of the usual Madird magic when it comes to the gold-dust train of Europe. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrids-usual-champions-league-magic-transforms/bm7tal4tt1bl17514k1ymqxhq" target="_blank">You can read about it here.</a>

Madrid's UCL magic makes Vinicius a star

Some fulsome praise from Aston Villa's Jack Grealish tonight for Kevin De Bruyne, who had a hand in both of Manchester City's goals tonight. Guardiola's side are much more than just the Belgian, of course - arguably more so than ever this season - but when he is in the groove, he is very often the man who can haul them over the finish line when their legs start giving way on the final straight. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">De Bruyne final ball every single time is unbelievable 👏🏻 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a>— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackGrealish/status/1379530300800307205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

From one playmaker to another...

Managers quite often have more to observe in defeat than in victory, and so it has proven tonight, with the German more astute than his rival in laying out the ins-and-outs of his team's performance to BT Sport. If you want to go to the semi-final, you have to earn the right to do so," he stated. "We didn't do that tonight, especially in the first half. The only good thing I can say, apart from the goal, is it's only the first half of the tie. "We made it too easy for them. These mistakes can happen. We didn't deserve a lot more but that one goal and the second half was OK. It gives us a lifeline."

Klopp: We made it too easy

The Spaniard has delivered some sage, if also particularly obvious, comments on it being better to win these games than draw them while speaking to BT Sport. "[It's] better to win that draw," he stated. "Dortmund are strong, a good quality [side]. With the players they have and the quality, it is difficult to do what we want to do it but [it's]&nbsp;2-1 and we have a good chance next week. "We will adjust a few things. Next, Leeds and then we go to Germany to try and win the game."

Guardiola: Better to win than draw

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">20 - Aged 20 years &amp; 313 days, Phil Foden is the youngest Englishman to score a 90th minute winning goal in a Champions League match, overtaking Wayne Rooney who was 21 years &amp; 182 days when he scored the winner for Man Utd in a 3-2 in over Milan in April 2007. Decisive. <a href="https://t.co/ctdsdTyVYy">pic.twitter.com/ctdsdTyVYy</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379545637809750026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Foden follows in Rooney's footsteps

Nowhere to hide for Alisson today, unless he grows out Freddie Mercury's 'tache very quickly into an even bushier number. The Brazilian was let down by his defence though and he'll have to hope they plug the gaps ASAP. The upshot? Next week, Madrid have to bring the fight to Liverpool - and an empty Anfield is still Anfield. Magic can happen there. The same goes for Dortmund. They'll be back on home turf - and while City are no strangers to victories away from their own patch, something about Champions League knockout football tends to trip them up around now. 2-1 is not as comfortable as they will have wanted against an out-of-form Bundesliga side.

The Show Must Go On

Liverpool's captain has been reflecting on what could be politely termed as a tough day at the office with BT Sport, adding that he felt they improved after the break. (They did, but how much that will count for is something else.) "It was difficult," he stated.&nbsp;We played against a good side. The way we did in the first half wasn't good. We lost it quickly with simple passes. Two moments of not concentrating enough and they scored. "We weren't sharp enough. We said in the second half we have to play our football and not lose the ball too easily and concentrate more. We played our own game&nbsp;and that's why we scored. Unfortuntately they scored and that makes it more difficult."

Wijnaldum: We weren't sharp enough

The Belgian has acknowledged however that the away goal makes things a little bit more hairy than City would like - but he doesn't seem unduly worried. “We probably should have scored a little bit more but obviously when they came back to 1-1, that was a little shame but it happens," he added to BT Sport. "I think the reaction was really good so to get the win is good. We know 2-1 is a tricky score but at least we are ahead for the second leg.”

De Bruyne on 'tricky score'

Kevin De Bruyne has been speaking to BT Sport, and the Belgian has unsurprisingly hailed the position that this seemingly unstoppable side find themselves in. "The season in September started this way and never stopped," he stated.&nbsp;"It has been an incredible run of games, the team has responded well to the challenge this year. "We are in a good situation and a little bit privileged because we are able to compete for every trophy. We try to prepare game by game."

De Bruyne: It has been an incredible run

Not many managers have the Champions League down to a fine art like the Frenchman. Even when his domestic prospects have been shaky, he's generally looked the part in Europe. Tonight, he took charge of his 50th game in the Champions League, with this his 31st victory in the competition. Indeed, only Josef Heynckes (32) won more of his first 50 managerial games in the same circumstances.

Zidane continues remarkable CL run

If Dortmund could feel hard done by in defeat, the same could not be said for the visitors in Madrid today. Mohamed Salah's away goal, much as Marco Reus' effort did, means that this two-legged tie is far from over. But if this was boxing, Los Blancos would have landed three haymakers before the sixth round to leave their opponent staggering. Jurgen Klopp has some work to do before the reverse fixture.

Questions linger for Reds

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A chastening night in Madrid for Liverpool. They're still in the tie thanks to Salah's away goal, but they're going to need a massive improvement on what we saw here, across the board. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMALIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMALIV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/fCXDaCNyZ7">pic.twitter.com/fCXDaCNyZ7</a>— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) <a href="https://twitter.com/neiljonesgoal/status/1379538116533424133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Neil Jones on Liverpool

Take nothing away from Manchester City - they do deserve that win in the end - but how different could this game have looked if Jude Bellingham's phantom foul had been ignored? The England man looked to have made the most of a sloppy error from Ederson - the kind of error that typically tends to help the Blues get knocked out at this stage of the Champions League - only to be punished instead for it. It is in the past now, but expect it to linger in the present when Edin Terzic tries to get his side fired up next week.

Daylight robbery for Dortmund?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">17 - Since their first season in the Champions League in 2011-12, no team has scored more 90th minute goals than Manchester City (17, level with Real Madrid). Show.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379538492397588487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Leaving it late...

Zinedine Zidane is off as the final whistle goes. His side are the victors here but the Frenchman does not look wholly satisfied. But he should be with Vinicius Junior. The striker has turned in one of his best games in a Real Madrid shirt, to compensate for the loss of Sergio Ramos, and he has helped blow Liverpool away. Jurgen Klopp's side too have a vital away goal, but the odds, as they are for Dortmund, are stacked against them now.

FT: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool

All smiles from Pep Guardiola. All stormy features from Erling Haaland. Borussia Dortmund thought that they had weathered this one out, that they had snatched a vital response through Marco Reus - and indeed, they still have, an away goal is an away goal - to match Kevin De Bruyne's opener. But at the climax of this encounter, Phil Foden has slipped once more between the cracks in their armour and made them pay. It is Manchester City who will take the advantage into next week's second leg.

FT: Man City 2-1 Dortmund

There is one last twist! Take a bow Phil Foden! He has spared Manchester City's blushes! There's a marginal offside call, but VAR rules it out here. City press hard down the right, fling the ball across to the left and Ilkay Gundogan is there to bring it down. He taps back to the England man, and he slips a fast finish across the face of goal and in at the far post. A sucker-punch to Dortmund's dreams. What a blow from the hosts.

GOAL: Man City 2-1 Dortmund

Likewise, we're into injury time in Spain, where it will be four added minutes.

Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool

There will be three added minutes in Manchester. Is there a final twist in this tale?

Man City 1-1 Dortmund

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">788 - Marco Reus is the first player to score a Champions League goal against Man City since Luis Díaz for Porto in October, ending the Citizens’ run of 788 minutes without conceding in the competition (7 consecutive clean sheets before today). Breached. <a href="https://t.co/EJP9Rh4YuC">pic.twitter.com/EJP9Rh4YuC</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379536026339774470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

City's iron defence finally breached

Phil Foden has put a few chances wide of the mark in great situations this evening and now City have been punished for that wastefulness. Dortmund have battled throughout though, have refused to buckle. They've had less ball throughout, less shots too, but they have not gone away and they've got a reward - a precious away goal - to take back home.

Marco Reus, what a time to find only your fifth goal of the season! Borussia Dortmund have their away goal! That is a massive strike, and an absolute game-changer of a finish for the visitors. Jude Bellingham is the initial architect, threading the ball through to Erling Haaland on the edge of the box, and the Norwegian slips another delightful pass through to his fellow attacker to smash past Ederson at close-range. A huge final act of this game awaits.

GOAL: Man City 1-1 Dortmund

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">20y 268d - Only Kylian Mbappé in April 2017 (18 v Borussia Dortmund) has scored a Champions League brace in the quarter-finals or later at a younger age than Vinícius Júnior (20y 268d). Verve.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379532554638925831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Vinicius in esteemed company

This has been far from the rematch Liverpool would have envisioned. They're lucky they'll get a week to reset and come again for a second leg. That away goal too could prove to be crucial. But if Vinicius Junior plays like this again, they'll face a torrid test. It's one of his best turns in a Real Madrid shirt.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">3 - Luka Modric is the oldest player (35y 209d) to assist in three consecutive Champions League games since Ryan Giggs for Manchester United in April 2011, who did so aged 37. Vintage. <a href="https://t.co/0fr7RDrR1E">pic.twitter.com/0fr7RDrR1E</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379531429332258824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Modric matches Giggs feat

Tensions almost boil over now as Alexander-Arnold and Vinicius Junior come together in a challenge near the technical area. It looks like both lead with their shoulder but before it can go any further, the nearby Jurgen Klopp barks at them and they both spring away like&nbsp;chastised schoolboys. Madrid should see this one out from here and they surely know it.

Gio Reyna is on the hosts, and in making it onto the field, has achieved a milestone. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">With his substitution into <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCIBVB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCIBVB</a>, 18-year-old Gio Reyna reaches a very special <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USMNTinUCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USMNTinUCL</a> milestone. 🇺🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/sKgBqs8JlK">pic.twitter.com/sKgBqs8JlK</a>— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNT/status/1379530288234119168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Man City 1-0 Dortmund

It's a brace for Vinicius Junior! Madrid have responded admirably since Salah struck for Liverpool and they restore a two-goal lead with a lovely finish now. Modric lays on the assist, a square pass through a relatively crowded box and the striker sweeps it past Alisson from close to the penalty spot. It's been a long night for the Reds in Spain.

GOAL: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool

What a chance for Phil Foden!&nbsp; That should be 2-0 for Manchester City. It's De Bruyne, the man who oscillates between clinical perfection and maverick admiration more than anyone else in this side, who cuts down the right flank, into the box and pulls the ball back. But the England man puts it straight to the keeper. Frustrating.

There's a moment for City to hold their breath - but just a brief one, as a free-kick on the edge of their box is slammed straight into the defensive wall by Reus. Had he got that over the defenders, he probably would have beaten Ederson. It's a timely reminder that City aren't quite as home and dry as they'd like to be.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">121 - Since Mohamed Salah made his debut for Liverpool, only Cristiano Ronaldo (140), Lionel Messi (156) and Robert Lewandowski (177) have scored more goals than the Egyptian (121) across all competitions within the top five European leagues. Example. <a href="https://t.co/kWK5R56RUh">pic.twitter.com/kWK5R56RUh</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379528534880890884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Super Salah's hot streaks

This has been a far more sedate second half from City, but even when they lose possession, they pursue it back with such ruthless efficiency. They're like a pack of T-800s, primed merely for the purpose of subduing opposition in the most clinical fashion possible. Dortmund have had a little bit more room to breathe but they've not carved out a response yet.

The Reds strike back - and who else could it be! In all fairness, the genesis of Liverpool's response comes from Diogo Jota, who sees his attempt from a dozen or so yards out on the left blocked. But the ball ricochets into the path of the supporting Mohamed Salah, and he is able to wrestle it under control to push past&nbsp;Thibaut Courtois. That is just the ticket for Jurgen Klopp's side!

GOAL: Real Madrid 2-1 Liverpool

Erling Haaland! It is the best chance the Norwegian has had all game, fed through the middle and slipping around the last defender to go one-on-one with Ederson. He can't place his shot past the goalkeeper though and it is a fine stop in the end to deny him his low finish.

We've also resumed in Madrid. Liverpool have some serious work to do - but of course, both them and Dortmund could snatch vital away goals here.

Real Madrid 2-0 Liverpool

We are back underway in Manchester. Do Dortmund have anything in their locker, or will this be plain sailing for City from here?

Ovidiu Hategan has landed himself in the middle of the narrative here in Manchester with some decisions today but it's not the first time he's been caught up for some curious calls, to coach it in mild terms. He was in the middle for City's 2013 game against CSKA Moscow when he failed to follow protocol in dealing with racist chants towards Yaya Toure, and was then the man who was in charge of Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier loss to Switzerland in 2017, involving a suspect penalty kick call.

Hategan under the microscope

Consider that first half an audition to join the Imperial Stormtrooper Academy in the next series of Star Wars from Liverpool then. To say that Madrid are missing two of their rearguard lynchpins, that is a dismal turnout for the Reds. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">0 - Liverpool have failed to attempt a shot in the first half of a Champions League game for the first time since November 2014, which was also against Real Madrid. Blanketed.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379521442782588932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

(No) Shots Fired

Perhaps tempting fate with that Under Pressure reference earlier was too much, but no matter. Jurgen Klopp has already let his hammer fall three minutes before the break in hooking Naby Keita, in the sort of managerial call that suggests a player might never get a major start in their career at a club ever again. But does Thiago have a kind of magic to get the Reds back in the fight here?

Hammer to Fall?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">4 - Marco Asensio has now scored in four straight matches for Real Madrid in all competitions, managing as many goals over this period (4) as he did across his previous 41 matches. Presented.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379519467122786305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Asensio in the ascendancy

This should be all square, but thanks to some truly baffling refereeing decisions, it isn't. Manchester City have been the better side, but Dortmund, for all their youth, have more than brought it to them. They'll have been frustrated to concede the way they did. Have they got enough in the tank to prevent the hosts from turning them into a punching bag though?

HT: Man City 1-0 Dortmund

Jurgen Klopp has given some pretty big team-talks in his life. This one isn't quite up there, but it's near enough. His side, so fluent against Arsenal at the weekend, have had more holes at the back than a block of Swiss cheese. A rethink needed, certainly.

HT: Real Madrid 2-0 Liverpool

It's hard to blame the injured Borussia Dortmund man, given that the rub of the green has definitely gone against his side. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This Ref needs checking! 🤦🏽‍♂️— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sanchooo10/status/1379519499360215042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sancho not happy with officials

Well, we all know how this one turned out, but even so... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2 - Liverpool have conceded twice in the first half of a Champions League knockout game for the first time since the 2005 final against AC Milan (3). Swarmed. <a href="https://t.co/IHF7iXYagO">pic.twitter.com/IHF7iXYagO</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379520058234396676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Liverpool write unwanted history

Now, it should be said that Jurgen Klopp's side do have form for turning around heavy scorelines against teams from La Liga over two legs in the Champions League, but they don't want to make a habit of it. Jurgen Klopp has had enough though - and it's Naby Keita, handed that rare start, who is hooked before half-time. Thiago has been sent on to steady the sinking ship.

What on earth is&nbsp;Ovidiu Hategan doing here?! Ederson wastes too long with a clumsy first touch on a ball that practically falls at his feet, and Bellingham nips across him on the edge of the box and steals away to push it into an open net - but the referee has already whistled for a foul against the England man. One small problem; there appears to be no contact between the two players. Bellingham is booked too, for good measure. That is very contentious.

Los Blancos have doubled their lead! And it is an absolute howler from Trent Alexander-Arnold at the back too! A sweeping long ball from Madrid is swung downfield and the right-back misreads it with a diving header. It falls into open space in the Reds' penalty area - right in time for Marco Asensio to latch onto it and push a scrappy half-volley past Alisson as he races out to deal with the danger. Sergio Ramos applauds on the sidelines. The hosts are absolutely making their visitors pay.

GOAL: Real Madrid 2-0 Liverpool

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">18 - Following Kevin De Bruyne’s opener, Manchester City have now scored 18 goals since they last conceded in the Champions League; the longest run of unanswered goals in the competition’s history. Unprecedented. <a href="https://t.co/nnZoZyNWRf">pic.twitter.com/nnZoZyNWRf</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379514882526216193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

City extend scoring run

No penalty! The referee consults the screen and reverses his decision after reviewing the footage. Can is let off the hook there, but that is the right decision, though the match official did take a long time to signal his intent to overturn the call.

VAR: Man City 1-0 Dortmund

Penalty to Manchester City! A free-kick tipped into the City box sees Rodri crumple with a theatrical flourish and referee&nbsp;Ovidiu Hategan points straight to the spot. Emre Can is booked for what is deemed to be a high boot, but the VAR will check this, as it looks like he has only caught the knee.

PENALTY: Man City 1-0 Dortmund

What a superb goal from Vinicius Junior that is! The Brazilian times an absolutely brilliant run from halfway to meet a towering long ball whipped downfield from deep in Madrid territory by Modric,&nbsp;cutting out the entire midfield. He shrugs off the two Liverpool defenders tailing him, brings it under control and lashes a low effort past Alisson to the left. Talk about a cracking finish! The Reds will be fuming with themselves there.

GOAL: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

Reus! This is Dortmund's best attack of the night, forcing Rodri into the mistake on the cusp of his own box, and the striker follows through after a low, lobbed throughball. He collides with Ederson and both go down, but the decision will fall in favour of the Manchester City goalkeeper, with a free-kick.

This is a real test of this young Dortmund side's character now. Many sides have crumpled upon going down to City in 2021, at home and abroad; very few have stood their ground imperiously. There's a sense this could go one of two ways from here; a nail-biter or a blowout.

That's not a pass Emre can will want to see again any time soon! The Dortmund man waylays the ball in midfield and City tear back downfield towards goal. Foden looks to have got too much weight on it as he squares it wide to Mahrez, but the latter manages to pull it back in just before it runs dead, before turning it back to the Belgian to smash home at close-range. Edin Terzic's task just got a whole lot harder.

GOAL: Man City 1-0 Dortmund

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">60 - Including finals, this will be Pep Guardiola’s 60th game as a manager in the knockout stages of the Champions League – only Carlo Ancelotti has managed more (62), although Guardiola already has the most knockout stage victories (31) in the competition. Legacy. <a href="https://t.co/fVwYt2zltZ">pic.twitter.com/fVwYt2zltZ</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379493229503070211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Guardiola nears European record

It's almost double trouble for Liverpool! Madrid have mostly run down the middle so far, but now see a penalty call waved away with Wijnaldum clips Modric in the box. A moment later, Vinicius Junior skims a header just wide of the right post, sending Alisson scampering after it. That was perilously close.

Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool

Hey, Jude! Bellingham is an integral part of a sharp Dortmund move now and forces Ederson into the first save of the game, fed by Haaland into the left edge of the box. That disrupted the routines but not for long. City come back in quick order and play it smoothly around the park, settling into their rhythms.

Man City 0-0 Dortmund

It's the home sides enjoying the sharper touches in these opening exchanges so far, with City mustering most of the possession against Dortmund and Madrid having chanced an early shot against Alisson in goal. Liverpool aren't looking too uncomfortable, but in Manchester, the visitors might need to make the most of the counter today

KO: Real Madrid v Liverpool

We are underway in the Champions League quarter-finals!

KO: Man City v Dortmund

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">1 - Real Madrid have not played a Champions League game without both Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos since December 2018 against CSKA Moscow (0-3 defeat). This is the only game played without at least one of the 2 defenders in the UCL since 2016. Unavailable. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMALIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMALIV</a> <a href="https://t.co/clLzlaIKdD">pic.twitter.com/clLzlaIKdD</a>— OptaJean (@OptaJean) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJean/status/1379433155690594312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bad omen for Los Blancos?

The teams are poised to emerge for that all-time clubland classic, the&nbsp;UEFA Champions League Anthem. Perhaps Alisson can sing us a few bars now that he's decked out in the finest kareoke tribute we've seen in these fixtures for a long time. Hold onto your hats, everybody...

Five minutes to go

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Huge chance for Naby Keita tonight. Only his ninth start in all competitions this season, and his only other one in the Champions League was away to Midtjylland when the group was won. Liverpool going for high energy, high press, by the looks of things. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMALIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMALIV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a>— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) <a href="https://twitter.com/neiljonesgoal/status/1379489943270141955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Keita to seize chance?

Once more, Freddie Mercury is in goal for the Reds tonight. Alisson's one-man tribute to the late Queen frontman, which was a major talking point over the weekend when he didn't have too much to do, is back again. The shotstopper drew admiration from that other great moustache man of Merseyside football, Ian Rush, after he showcased his new facial rug. Here's to hoping that he doesn't put his side through the wringer.

Under Pressure?

Bellingham hadn't even been born when&nbsp;Fernandinho made his first start for&nbsp;Atletico Paranaense in 2002, but the latter could find himself playing against the teenager young enough to be his son if he gets on off the bench. Since arriving at City from&nbsp;Shakhtar Donetsk, the Brazilian - who succeeded David Silva as captain this season - has been a vital part of the trophy-chewing machine at the Etihad Stadium, and his wisdom could yet help Guardiola on to a potentially historic quadruple.

Generations apart

Let's return to Jude Bellingham for a moment, who writes himself into the history books tonight with his start for Dortmund against City. The former Birmingham City man seems to be an increasing shoo-in for Gareth Southgate's Euro 2020 squad this summer, despite his age - and amid reports that team-mate Sancho could be left in the departure lounge. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Jude Bellingham is the second-youngest man EVER to start a Champions League quarter-final 👶<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/9lLN2GfF01">pic.twitter.com/9lLN2GfF01</a>— Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1379501660708470787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bellingham the record-breaker

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">5 - Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has won each of his last five games at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, including all four of his games at this stage while in charge of the Reds (two versus Manchester City in 2017-18 and FC Porto in 2019-20). Control. <a href="https://t.co/Q8tyxhHRrd">pic.twitter.com/Q8tyxhHRrd</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1379493964370358279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Klopp tough to topple

One man who is most definitely on the field though is Erling Haaland, the man many assume to be City's top transfer target this summer. The Leeds-born Norway international may only be 20, but his talents are already extraordinary. With Sergio Aguero to head out of the door at season's end, the starlet seems to be top of Pep Guardiola's wishlist, even as his agent Mino Raiola appears to hawk him to every major side across the continent. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/haaland-man-city-ideal-striker-zlatan-shaped-problem/1ksg18aq1gmjc1omafjyr4o3b0" target="_blank">But is he the perfect fit at the Etihad Stadium? Alex Keble examined it for us</a>.

Haaland's future in blue?

One reunion not happening though is that between Manchester City and former starlet Jadon Sancho, with the England international missing out through injury today. Fellow Three Lions compatriot Jude Bellingham does start for the visitors, but it is the former who would have been more intriguing to catch on his return to the club he left in search of more regular chances in 2017. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/do-man-city-have-a-buy-back-clause-for-dortmund-star-jadon/12528yj28fvso124rztxi74z6v" target="_blank">You can find out if City have a buy-back clause - and the latest on the attacker's future - here</a>.

Sancho sits out City reunion

One man who will be enjoying a reunion more under-the-radar than others however is Liverpool's Fabinho, who previously spent a forgotten loan spell with Madrid in 2012-13. The Brazilian never really cut the mustard for Los Blancos, but has since moved on to far greater things in his career - and like all players facing a former side, would surely love to get one over on them today, particularly given the stakes. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/never-midfielder-inside-fabinho-forgotten-real-madrid-loan/19v7cd2yjzzz717lwbs2d26x97" target="_blank">Our correspondent Neil Jones had a deep dive on the story</a>.

Fabinho's forgotten Madrid days

But that's not the only blow Zinedine Zidane has been forced to contend with too, with&nbsp;Raphael Varane also out of this evening's clash after he tested positive for Covid-19. The Frenchman's absence is a major blow for Los Blancos, particularly with the Reds packing a fearsome front three, including an in-form Diogo Jota running high on the back of his brace against Arsenal at the weekend. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrid-without-ramos-varane-for-liverpool-clash-as/1ij1sh1tc9mdf1jebk8z1lyzby" target="_blank">You can read more about Madrid's woes here too</a>.

Varane out of clash with Covid-19

So, to that team news then. The eagle-eyed reader will spot that Mohamed Salah leads the line once more for Liverpool - but that there is no Sergio Ramos for Madrid, having been ruled out of this clash with a muscle injury. For Reds supporters, it has robbed them of the chance to potentially claim a spot of personal revenge for that 2018 final, when the Spain captain ensured that it was an early night for the Egypt international with a particularly contentious challenge. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/what-happened-between-salah-ramos-liverpool-real-madrid/bz5rh4b8ugg01wkfyunm7jjz8" target="_blank">You can refresh your memory of that event here, if you wish</a>.

No Ramos rematch for Salah

Two people whose combined ever-present record stretched back the better part of two decades before this year? Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. For the first time in over a decade and a half, the Barcelona and Juventus forwards will sit out this stage after they were eliminated in the last-16. For context, George Bush was President of the United States, Tobey Maguire was Spider-Man and Tony Christie and Peter Kay were at number one in the UK Singles Chart with&nbsp;(Is This the Way to) Amarillo. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Tonight, the Champions League quarter-finals will kick off without Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since 2005 💔 <a href="https://t.co/NIa5KBEFrM">pic.twitter.com/NIa5KBEFrM</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1379473806939541518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Messi and Ronaldo MIA

Just three sides left this week made it to this stage last season; City, who were knocked out by Lyon, and eventual finalists Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, who play tomorrow. But no side has qualified for all five of the last final eights&nbsp;including this season. City are on the longest current streak, with four consecutive appearances - but they were defeated by Monaco in the last-16 in 2017.

Did you know?

But if there's one team who can claim to have a better handle on this trophy than Liverpool, then look no further than Real Madrid. Los Blancos' dominance of the Champions League is unparalleled; a baker's dozen of 13 crowns, including a hat-trick in a row under current boss Zinedine Zidane. Their most recent triumph, in 2018, came against Jurgen Klopp's side, in a game best remembered on Merseyside for a multitude of reasons - and this is their first meeting since that fateful night in&nbsp;Ukraine. Vengeance, no matter what the Reds might say, hangs in the air this evening.

...but old villains await

So, as it will be well known by now, City are not the only Premier League outfit in play today either. For the second time in three years, a trio of English clubs have fought their way through to the quarter-finals - and while Chelsea play tomorrow against Porto, it is the other many may have reason to fear. No British club can match Liverpool's success when it comes to this competition. They are six-time winners, stretching back to 1977 - and last-but-one victors here too, claiming the prize against Tottenham just under two years ago. Even on shaky turf in the top flight, Europe is their playground.

Reds ready to roar...

This is how Pep Guardiola's Blues will look in just over an hour. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Your City team to duel Dortmund! ⚔️ XI | Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Mahrez, De Bruyne (C) SUBS | Steffen, Trafford, Ake, Sterling, Jesus, Aguero, Zinchenko, Laporte, Torres, Mendy, Fernandinho, Garcia 🔷 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/x2ITGJURvv">pic.twitter.com/x2ITGJURvv</a>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1379490300696100868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> And this is what the visitors to the Etihad Stadium will throw at them in response. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 BVB STARTING XI VS. MANCHESTER CITY 🚨 <a href="https://t.co/AIuDRfK8YY">pic.twitter.com/AIuDRfK8YY</a>— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackYellow/status/1379489626621161477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

🚨 TEAM NEWS | Man City vs Dortmund 🚨

The news is here - this is how Liverpool will line up for their trip to Spain tonight. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tonight's line-up to face <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadrid</a> 👊 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RMALIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RMALIV</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1379488676753838081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> And this is how their hosts will take to the field against them. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">📋✅ Our starting XI 🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LFC</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/goMK5HQKVs">pic.twitter.com/goMK5HQKVs</a>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1379489659223425031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

🚨 TEAM NEWS | Real Madrid v Liverpool 🚨

Between them and a first semi-final berth under the Spaniard however is a team whose own fortunes are arguably a little more desperate. It's been a roller-coaster of a campaign for Borrusia Dortmund - and more in the sense that they seem to have broken down halfway round the vertical loop. The Bundesliga outfit are seven points off the top four in their homeland, and interim boss Edin Terzic has overseen just two wins in their last five&nbsp;league games. But write them off at your peril; in Erling Haaland, they boast the competition's top scorer and arguably the hottest player in the game right now.

Haaland or nothing for Dortmund

Six previous Champions League or European Cup winners remain. One further finalist also sits in the mix. And then there's one club who've never made it to the peak. But Manchester City would not be fools to think that this could finally be the year they break that permanent drought. Pep Guardiola's side have skated comfortably up to this point many times before - but could this season be the one where the ice doesn't crack beneath them?

City's time to shine?

And then there were eight. It's been a long road since the 2020-21 Champions League got started - the 2020 final hadn't even been played at the time San Marino's&nbsp;Tre Fiori went down 2-0 to Northern Ireland champions Linfield in August last year - but eight months on, we're almost at the business end of European club football's biggest prize. The wheat has been separated from the chaff. The best have come through the rest. This is the third step from the summit of a late may evening in Istanbul - and nobody's going to want to trip up now.

It's been a long time coming...

Good evening and welcome to Goal's live matchday blog! It's just the two games for your pleasure this evening - but when it's the Champions League, there's little chance of being shortcharged. We'll be bringing you all the action from: Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund (20:00) Real Madrid v Liverpool (20:00) (All times BST)

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Matchday LIVE: Real Madrid v Liverpool and Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund in UEFA Champions League action | Goal.com Tanzania

Join us for coverage of all the goals, incidents and talking points of the quarter-final first-leg ties from Spain and England on Tuesday evening