As two old foes lock horns in Europe once more, we have the team news and confirmed lineups for Liverpool vs Real Madrid, as well as a preview and prediction for Wednesday’s huge Champions League match at Anfield.
Liverpool Vs Real Madrid Preview
Arne Slot’s Reds were spared a shock defeat on the South Coast to Southampton thanks to a dogged performance in the second half.
Having gone 2-1 down to the Premier League’s bottom side, the league leaders came back to win 3-2 thanks to a Mo Salah brace.
Liverpool’s win took them eight points clear in the league, thanks to Manchester City’s fifth-straight defeat in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s men haven’t won since they also beat Southampton, allowing Liverpool to build a commanding lead in the title race.
Things are going equally well on the European front, too. The Reds are top of the Champions League table, and the only side to have won all four of their games so far.
They dispatched AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig before a thumping, 4-0 win over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in their most recent European fixture.
Standing between them and a fifth straight win are Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
Los Blancos are familiar opponents for Liverpool, with the two sides meeting eight times in the past ten seasons.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Real have won seven of those matches, with a 0-0 draw in the 2021 quarter-final second leg the only tie not ending in defeat for the Reds.
They did do the double over Real Madrid in 2009, winning both legs of their last-16 tie. And their first meeting was the 1981 European Cup final, which Liverpool also won.
So far this season, it’s been a mixed bag for Real. Two wins and two losses in Europe has left them 18th in the Champions League table.
They are currently four points adrift of leaders Barcelona in La Liga, though Real do have a game in hand on their El Clasico rivals.
Next up… Real Madrid at Anfield ✨ #UCL pic.twitter.com/8gijMKI4aa
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 26, 2024
Liverpool Vs Real Madrid Team News
As for injury updates, Liverpool were boosted by Harvey Elliott’s return to the match-day squad at the weekend.
The 21-year-old was out for two months with a fractured foot but will hope to make a full return in midweek.
Alisson Becker (hamstring), Diogo Jota (abdominal) and Federico Chiesa (fitness) all missed the trip to Southampton on Sunday, and will each be sidelined again.
There is a chance that Real Madrid target Trent Alexander-Arnold may be fit, though. If he does start, he will likely be joined by Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz – who both come off the bench at the weekend.
Real Madrid have their own injury concerns. They lost Vinicius Junior to a hamstring problem at the weekend and the Brazilian is expected to be out for several weeks.
Long term absentees include David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao (all knee), along with Rodrygo (muscle), Aurelien Tchouameni (ankle) and Lucas Vazquez (muscle).
The latter two have not been categorically ruled out by Carlo Ancelotti, but it seems unlikely either will feature at Anfield this week.
Brahim Diaz is expected to step in for the missing Vinicius, with 21-year-old Raul Asencio in line for a debut in defence.
Liverpool Vs Real Madrid Confirmed Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Modric; Guler, Bellingham, Diaz; Mbappe
Liverpool Vs Real Madrid Prediction
Liverpool have looked superb at times this season, but left it late against Southampton. A worrying performance against the worst side in the Premier League suggests there are vulnerabilities in Arne Slot’s team.
Real are missing some big names, but will hold no fear when visiting Anfield, having not lost to the Reds in over 15 years. We think this one could go either way, and hope it lives up to its billing as the pick of this week’s European fixtures.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Real Madrid
