Liverpool face off against Real Madrid in a mouth-watering Champions League encounter on Wednesday night, as two European heavyweights rekindle a rivalry that has been a cauldron of unforgiving drama. Liverpool, the only undefeated outfit this term in this competition, welcome a Real Madrid outfit battling with inconsistent form and an escalating injury crisis.
Match Preview
Liverpool: The Fine Reds on a Run
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool has been imperious domestically and on the continent. A 4-0 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen in their last Champions League outing saw them maintain a perfect record in the tournament so far, with a clear 12 points from four games.
Domestically, a 3-2 win over Southampton, through the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, lengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League table to eight points. Two goals from Salah sealed not just the deal for Liverpool but also how strong this team is in particular situations.
Liverpool have scored at least two goals in each of their last six games across all competitions but their winless run against Real Madrid is an open sore. The Reds have not beat Los Blancos since a famous 4-0 win in 2009, with defeat in eight encounters since then including gut-wrenching reversals in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals.
Real Madrid: Injuries and Inconsistencies
Real Madrid, the defending European champions, is in a tricky season. Their Champions League campaign has so far been out of balance, with away losses to Lille and AC Milan placing them 18th-very far from their usual dominance.
Despite those disappointments, the men of Carlo Ancelotti have bounced back locally, winning the last two La Liga encounters with a combined score of 7-0. The 4-0 thrashing of Osasuna and a 3-0 win over Leganes have brought them near the summit, now just four points away from leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid cannot afford an unprecedented third group-stage defeat this season, but an injury-ravaged squad faces an uphill challenge at Anfield, a venue where their last visit resulted in a commanding 5-2 win.
Form Guide
Liverpool (Champions League): WWWW
Liverpool (All Competitions): DWWWWW
Real Madrid (Champions League): WLWL
Real Madrid (All Competitions): WWLLWW
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Liverpool
Liverpool’s injury concerns persist, with Alisson Becker (hamstring), Diogo Jota (abdominal), Federico Chiesa (fitness), and Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) sidelined. However, Alexander-Arnold is the only one with a slim chance of returning for this fixture.
Changes are expected after a slightly underwhelming display against Southampton. Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz are likely to start, replacing Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo.
Predicted Lineup:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
Real Madrid
Real Madrid has an increasing injury list, with the following players ruled out: Vinicius Junior, hamstring; David Alaba, knee; Dani Carvajal, knee; Eder Militao, knee; Rodrygo, muscle; Aurelien Tchouameni, ankle; and Lucas Vazquez, muscle.
Brahim Diaz will most likely replace Vinicius Junior in the attack, while Castilla graduate Raul Asencio is expected to make his Champions League debut in defense.
Predicted Lineup:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Modric; Guler, Bellingham, Diaz; Mbappe
Match Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Real Madrid
Setting the scene for a commanding Reds victory was Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Champions League and Real Madrid’s injury woes. The electric atmosphere at Anfield and Mohamed Salah’s scintillating form may just carry Liverpool through to their first win over Real Madrid in 15 years and keep their perfect Champions League record intact.
