The reigning European champions Real Madrid will visit Anfield on Tuesday night to lock horns with the runners-up Liverpool in the first leg of the Round of 16 encounter. The finalists of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League season have been drawn against each other extraordinarily, and the Blancos, irrespective of their La Liga form, are outright favourites to hammer the Reds as they have done in the recent past.
The Merseysiders have secured back-to-back victories against Everton and Newcastle United following a dreadful run of results post-World Cup break. However, they are yet to regain the rhythm amid the form and fitness woes of an array of first-team stars, also the past outcomes would hand a psychological boost to the Madrid giants.
Predicted 4-3-3 Real Madrid Lineup To Face Liverpool
Defence
Thibaut Courtois, who won them the silverware with a spectacular display between the sticks, is back in action and has replaced Andriy Lunin. A clean sheet on Saturday night against Osasuna must bolster his confidence before the Anfield tie.
Carlo Ancelotti has extensively rotated his options in the defensive third. He is likely to prefer Daniel Carvajal down the right over Nacho, also the versatile David Alaba should feature from the left with Ferland Mendy still sidelined. Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger are expected to partner themselves in the heart of the backline.
Midfield
Veteran Toni Kroos missed two games in a row with gastroenteritis. He remains a doubt for the midweek clash, but the champions of Spain have ample depth as well as quality in the middle of the park. Aurélien Tchouaméni, who turned down Liverpool’s offer in favour of a Madrid move, has cemented his place as a ‘number 6’. Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga should operate box-to-box in case the German playmaker fails to make it to the starting XI. Luka Modric, still going strong at the age of 37, must showcase his vision and creative spark to dictate the tempo and orchestrate the game.
Attack
Hitman Karim Benzema is struggling with a muscle strain. While it remains to be seen whether he passes a late fitness test, Real’s versatile attacking ace Rodrygo should spearhead the attack similar to the Osasuna outing. Vinicius Jr has troubled Trent Alexander-Arnold in previous meetings, as he also scored the solitary goal in Paris to conquer the record 14th European glory. Federico Valverde, the architect of Vini’s winner, must keep his place on the right ahead of Marco Asensio and the fit-again Eden Hazard.
