It feels almost inevitable these days that Liverpool and Real Madrid would meet again in the Champions League. This time, the clash takes place at Anfield in Tuesday’s league-phase match. Liverpool come into the game on the back of a much-needed 2-0 win over Aston Villa, while Xabi Alonso, once a midfield hero at Anfield, has turned Real Madrid into a ruthless winning machine since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti.
After resting most of his senior players for the EFL Cup defeat to Crystal Palace, Arne Slot knew that nothing short of a Premier League victory would ease the growing pressure on him. The Dutch manager was at risk of becoming the first Liverpool boss to lose five league matches in a row, but his team delivered a timely response. Mohamed Salah marked the occasion with his 250th goal for the club before Ryan Gravenberch added a deflected second to seal the points.
Aston Villa contributed to their own downfall, but Liverpool’s improvement was clear to see. The win was just their second in eight matches across all competitions, a run that had raised serious questions about their form. Their only other success during that spell came in Europe, when they demolished Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 on matchday three of the Champions League, lifting them into the top 10 of the league-phase table and just outside the automatic qualification spots for the last 16 on goal difference.
That emphatic victory was followed by a disappointing defeat to Galatasaray and a narrow 3-2 home win over Atletico Madrid, which extended Liverpool’s remarkable streak to 15 consecutive home victories in European group or league-phase games. It also rekindled memories of last season’s triumph over Real Madrid at Anfield, when the Reds ended an agonizing eight-match losing streak against the Spanish giants.
Before Paris Saint-Germain ended Liverpool’s Champions League dreams last season, that 2-0 win over Real Madrid was a rare bright spot in their European campaign. Coincidentally, both Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso have been on the receiving end of heavy defeats at Anfield in recent years. Alonso, now in charge of Real Madrid, returns once more to the stadium where he was once adored, leading a side that simply cannot stop winning.
Real have made a perfect start to their Champions League journey, defeating Marseille, Kairat and Juventus to collect nine points from three matches. They are also in control of the La Liga title race after following up a dramatic victory in El Clasico with a 4-0 demolition of Valencia. In all competitions, they have won 13 of their 14 matches this season, with the only blemish being a chaotic 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Despite that dominance, Real Madrid sit fifth among the five teams with a maximum of nine points in the Champions League group, their goal difference slightly weaker than Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Arsenal. They have also struggled somewhat against English sides recently, winning just two of their last nine meetings. Still, history shows that writing off Real Madrid in this competition is always a mistake.
Liverpool’s Champions League campaign continues to gather intrigue, and with both teams finding form at the right time, another unforgettable night at Anfield seems all but guaranteed.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Ryan Gravenberch’s return from an ankle injury was a huge boost for Liverpool supporters on Saturday night, but Alexander Isak and Curtis Jones were both missing due to groin issues. Arne Slot had already admitted that their chances of featuring were virtually zero, and with only a short turnaround before Tuesday’s clash, both remain serious doubts. Alisson Becker, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong will also miss out through hamstring and ACL injuries.
Slot’s tactical call to rest Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez paid off perfectly in the win over Aston Villa, and he is unlikely to change a winning formula against the 15-time European champions. Alexis Mac Allister and Andy Robertson, who both impressed, are expected to keep their places as Liverpool aim to build on their recent momentum.
For Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso faces his own selection problems ahead of the trip to Anfield. Key defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba are all sidelined with knee, muscle, and calf issues respectively, though Alaba has a slim chance of returning in time. Carvajal was set to make his comeback from a European suspension but is now ruled out until 2026, opening the door for Trent Alexander-Arnold to face his former club.
However, the English full-back has yet to play since recovering from a hamstring injury and has been an unused substitute in Real Madrid’s last two league games. If Alonso decides he is not fully ready, Federico Valverde may once again be asked to fill in at right-back as the Spanish giants look to maintain their perfect European run.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Liverpool 2-2 Real Madrid
