TWO LiONS MEET! Liverpool vs Real Madrid their form, H2H and predicted line-ups

Liverpool and Real Madrid predicted line-ups, form, H2H for Champions League clash

Liverpool are keen to take them to the Bernabeu for next month’s second leg with Real Madrid

Liverpool are back at home on Tuesday night when Real Madrid travel to Anfield for a Champions League Round of 16 first leg.
The two teams, of course, met in last season’s showpiece game in Paris, with Vinicius Jr scoring the game’s only goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s side clinched their 14th European Cup.

To avenge that defeat, the Reds head into this showdown after back-to-back Premier League wins and appear to have regained their confidence after a dismal start to 2023. So for Jürgen Klopp, it would be a no-brainer to name an unchanged team. although concerns over Darwin Nunez’s shoulder may require a rethink of that department.
Only time will tell which starting XI the German will pick, but here’s our take on who Klopp is likely to have in his squad against Madrid.

Gomez keeps his place

Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all but certain to start this game after their respective impressive performances on Saturday night, although the latter will have to be careful as he is just one yellow card away from a Champions League game suspension.

Things get more interesting at centre-back as it had to be decided who would support Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence. Joe Gomez has held firm at St James’ Park but Joel Matip is available and could be called upon to freshen things up.

However, given Madrid’s pace in attack, it would certainly make sense to stick with the more mobile of the two defenders and go for Gomez. Alexander-Arnold may need support against Vinicius and Klopp would be wise to keep his quickest two at the back.

Bajcetic Familiar

To suggest that Stefan Bajcetic would start a game of this magnitude a few months ago would have seemed deeply unreal, but the Spaniard jumped at the chance as key players picked up injuries and his form faltered.

Tuesday will present the biggest challenge of his career for the 18-year-old to date, although recent performances suggest the Spaniard is well equipped to handle the pressure. Thiago Alcantara may well have been given the green light if he is fit to play, although the former Bayern Munich man is back on the sidelines after suffering an injury setback.

Throwing Naby Keita into the equation after being overlooked for a starting spot in the last two games would make little sense, leaving Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to support Bajcetic on the pitch.

Darwin’s Decision

Darwin Nunez, who appeared ill after a challenge from Kieran Trippier, was the last thing Liverpool fans wanted to see on Saturday. However, the 23-year-old attended the Reds’ open training session this afternoon and raised hopes that the Uruguayan will be part of the attacking system against Real Madrid. The fact that the former Benfica striker was able to attend training suggests Klopp may well be ready to risk chaos early on, much to the disappointment of the visitors.

If it were to be decided that Nunez should only be used as a substitute, I would play Roberto Firmino in the middle and Cody Gakpo on the left wing. Diogo Jota could be considered unfortunate not to be involved despite the fact that the Portugal international was able to make an appearance from the bench.

Liverpool expected starting XI (4-3-3): Alisson;

Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Henderson, Elliot, Fabinho; Salah, Firmino, Gakpo. As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti himself is facing player availability issues and will be without midfield duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos. Karim Benzema, meanwhile, has been absent for three of his side’s last five games with a muscle problem, but will be involved.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois feared missing out on the trip to Anfield after picking up an injury during pre-match warm-ups two weeks ago, but the Belgian returned to action during Madrid’s win against Osasuna last weekend. Left-back Ferland Mendy is one of the players who did not recover in time for Tuesday, having been sidelined with a thigh injury for the past month.

Central midfielder Federico Valverde has been deployed on the right wing several times this season and could occupy the flank opposite the always dangerous Vinicius. Rodrygo will probably drive if Benzema isn’t in danger.

Real Madrid starting eleven predictions (4-3-3):

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Ceballos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Also read... 

5 Things that came out during Liverpool training ahead of Real Madrid, including Nunez update

Liverpool host Real Madrid at Anfield in Champions League final first leg on Tuesday night-16 after wins over Everton and Newcastle in Premier League

Liverpool are preparing for one of the biggest games of the season against Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Jürgen Klopp’s team found their form at the right time and will face the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Real with confidence. After a poor start to 2023, which saw one win from seven games in all competitions, Liverpool now have back-to-back 2-0 wins over Everton and Newcastle.

These results have led to renewed optimism, with two games left in hand giving them a fighting chance to close the seven-point gap to fourth-placed Tottenham in the Premier League. An easing of the previously bloated injury list also comes at an opportune time ahead of the Champions League match against Real. Klopp put his players through their paces at their training ground in Kirkby on Monday. Here’s what came out of the session.

Nunez trains

The only downside to an impressive win over Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday came when Darwin Nunez picked up a second-half shoulder injury. Nunez was injured in a challenge with Kieran Trippier and had to be replaced, with Klopp explaining in the post-match press conference that “something on his shoulder” was “painful” for the Uruguayan.

The good news is that Nunez was training normally with the group on Monday and showed no signs of discomfort or pain. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp gave this update: