How many Champions Leagues have Liverpool won?

Liverpool will contest the final of the 2017-18 Champions League against Real Madrid on May 26. But how many times have they won the trophy in the past?

Liverpool will take part in their third Champions League final on May 26 when they face Real Madrid. But it’s their eighth overall, as much of their success came when the competition was known as the European Cup.

If the Reds win, it will make them the outright third most successful team in the history of the competition. Liverpool have reached the final thanks to holding firm at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in the semifinal, and their first win in the competition came at that famous old stadium too.

Bob Paisley’s Liverpool side won their first European Cup in 1977, by defeating Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 in Rome. Seven years later, the Reds (who were now lead by Joe Fagan) won the title again by beating Roma on penalties on their own patch.

In between their two triumphs in Italy, Liverpool picked up another two European Cups. They retained their first title by defeating Club Brugge 1-0 in a dour match at Wembley in 1978. The Reds’ other win in this period will certainly hearten them this year, as it was against Real Madrid.

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That final took place in Paris in 1981, and Alan Kennedy’s goal gave Liverpool another 1-0 win. While the Reds won more trophies in the late 1970s and early 1980s, their most dramatic final undoubtedly took place in 2005.

Rafa Benitez’s side were massive underdogs against AC Milan. This fact was emphasized by half time, at which point the Italians were 3-0 up. However, three goals in six minutes early in the second half saw Liverpool through to a penalty shoot out. Jerzy Dudek was the hero there, and the Reds had secured their fifth continental title.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona have also won the trophy five times, so Liverpool will hope to go past them on May 26. The omens from 1981 are certainly in their favor.