Liverpool v Real Madrid– Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Liverpool host Real Madrid in the . The Reds have won successive matches and are slowly getting back to a good level. They face a Los Blancos side who beat Jurgen Klopp’s team in the final of this competition in May. Carlo Ancelotti’s side recently lifted the FIFA Club World Cup but they trail Barcelona by eight points in La Liga.

Liverpool Form

Klopp’s side had been in really poor form just over a week ago with one win in seven across all competitions. That streak saw a 3-1 loss at Brentford and being thoroughly outplayed 3-0 at Brighton. A 3-0 loss at Wolves followed a couple of fixtures and alarm bells were ringing that this season could be a write-off.

A nine-day gap without playing allowed some injured players to start returning and they put together a fine performance to beat Everton 2-0 at home, putting up 2.33 xG and allowing Everton almost nothing (six shots, 0.36 xG). On Saturday, they won 2-0 at Newcastle as they scored twice in the first 17 minutes before a Magpies red card. Liverpool took their foot off the pedal somewhat after half-time.

Liverpool Team News

Jurgen Klopp has a fair few injuries to deal with ahead of this match, but he has recently welcomed back Virgil Van Dijk, Diogo Jota, and Roberto Firmino. Thiago Alcantara and Ibrahima Konate are not miles off and could even make the bench for this one.

Unfortunately, Darwin Nunez suffered a shoulder injured against Newcastle and is a doubt going into this match. Should he miss out, then Jota could start down the left if deemed fit enough. Luis Diaz and on-loan midfielder Arthur are both absent.

Liverpool Motivation

The Champions League is a huge deal for Liverpool and they will want revenge for their loss in Paris in the final against Real Madrid in May.

They won’t be too open for this first leg but they will try to play at something resembling their top intensity with the famous Anfield crowd behind them. Klopp will want to win this first leg as it means a draw in Madrid takes them through.

Real Madrid Form

Los Blancos have some poor performances and results at the turn of the year. They lost 2-1 at Villarreal and 3-1 in the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona. A couple of cup wins were followed by further poor results, drawing 0-0 at home to Real Sociedad and 1-0 at Mallorca to allow Barcelona to open up a decent gap in the title race.

Of late, confidence has returned somewhat. They won the FIFA Club World Cup, beating Al Ahly 4-1 in the semi-final and Al Hilal 5-3 in the final. A 4-0 home win in La Liga followed against Elche albeit with two penalties awarded. On Saturday, it took goals in the 78^th and last minute to win 2-0 at Osasuna.

Real Madrid Team News

Carlo Ancelotti rested Karim Benzema against Osasuna due to muscle fatigue, but he is expected to start up front at Anfield. Toni Kroos has been suffering from illness and hasn’t featured for two fixtures but is another you expect to see in the XI for this match.

Ferland Mendy is set to miss this match so David Alaba is likely to play at left-back with Antonio Rudiger in the middle with Eder Militao. Dani Carvajal should return to start on the right in preference to Nacho. Aurelien Tchouameni has had flu could it’s hoped he will be fit to start.

Real Madrid Motivation

Madrid are pretty pragmatic under Ancelotti, looking to keep the ball for self-protection at times and trying to attack in transition moments. Vinicius Jr and Valverde will be the outlets.

They drew 0-0 on their last visit to Anfield and would take a repeat of that in the first leg, knowing they can finish the job at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Key Stats

Liverpool have lost once in 31 home PL matches

Liverpool have won their 3 UCL matches at home this season

Liverpool have scored 2+ goals in 8 of their last 10 home matches in the Champions League

Real Madrid have lost 3 of their last 7 away UCL matches

Real Madrid have won 5 of their last 6 matches vs Liverpool (one draw)

Verdict

The Reds are improving but are still a long way below the side that faced Real Madrid in the Champions League final last season. Los Blancos have looked a bit below par for much of this campaign but they’re well capable of leaving Merseyside with a draw.