Liverpool will welcome Real Madrid at Anfield this Wednesday night knowing that they need to win by at least a two-goal margin to have any chance of securing qualification into the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Los Blancos managed to get the better of the Reds last week when they secured a 3-1 victory at Madrid. Hence, we can expect another match full of goals between these two European goliaths in midweek.
Talking Tactics
Jurgen Klopp will set his team up in a 4-3-3 formation once again and could instruct his players to control the ball and create some clear-cut chances in the final third to win this game. However, they will have to be wary of the threat of being caught out on the counter.
Zinedine Zidane will opt for a 4-3-3 formation as well and would ask his men to soak up all the pressure and catch the Liverpool defenders off-guard on the break. Los Blancos will once again target Trent Alexander-Arnold and could use Vinicius Junior to get in behind him out on the wide areas.
Team News
Liverpool
The Reds have got no fresh injury concerns ahead of this game.
Liverpool Predicted XI
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Jota
Real Madrid
Lucas Vazquez will miss the remainder of this campaign after spraining his cruciate ligament. Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined but Eden Hazard could be back and will be in a race against time to be available in midweek.
Real Madrid Predicted XI
Courtois, Odriozola, Nacho, Militao, Mendy, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Key Men
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota will carry most of the goal-scoring workload for Liverpool up top. The dynamic duo needs to have a good game if the Reds are to have any chance of pulling off another remarkable comeback at Anfield. The all-around performance of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson could very well end up determining the fate of this tie.
Real Madrid
Both Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema are currently in red hot form, so they will fancy getting their names on the scoresheet on Wednesday night. Thibaut Courtois can expect a busy night, so he would have to be at his best if he wants to keep a clean sheet away at Merseyside.
Odds
Liverpool are 10/11 favorites to win this game while the draw has been listed at 14/5 by the bookmakers. Los Blancos are 13/5 underdogs to emerge victorious at Anfield later this week.
