The difference between Liverpool and Real Madrid in one statistic

Liverpool head to the Santiago Bernabeu tonight to take on reigning European champions Real Madrid and all-conquering forward and Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two sides this season is the contrasting fortunes of their forward lines - which can be summarised in one simple chart.

Without the departed Luis Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool's three remaining strikers (Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert) have managed to score a grand total of zero league goals so far this season.

By comparison, Real Madrid's three strikers (Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale) have bagged an impressive 26 league goals between them, with Ronaldo scoring 17 alone.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of that statistic...

In other news, reports have emerged from the Liverpool training camp that Brendan Rodgers is considering playing a number of reserve players in tonight's game...

More: Mario Balotelli's Liverpool career so far in one chart