Real Madrid host Liverpool in what will be a monumental game for both sides. The two sides could be doing better in their domestic leagues, especially Liverpool given their place in the Premier League.
Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League, whereas Real Madrid is second in La Liga, nine points behind league leaders Barcelona. If Liverpool produce a miracle and go through to the quarter finals, it could turn their season around. They are out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup whilst also being off the pace in the top four race.
Real Madrid are European royalty
Real Madrid have won five of the past nine Champions League titles. Two of those final vicotories were against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
When these two sides met in the first leg Real Madrid demolished the Reds 2-5 at Anfield. Liverpool started that game on the front foot and were dominant. In the first 20 minutes, they were 2-0 up with goals from Nunez and Salah before Vinicius scored twice on the stroke of halftime to make it 2-2. In the second, half Real Madrid shifted gears and blew their opponents away. Eder Militao scored two minutes into the half before Benzema scored twice to make it 2-5 to Real Madrid at full time.
👊⚡ 𝑀𝐸𝑀𝑂𝑅𝐼𝐸𝑆
🆚 @LFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/E9TDtZIeNG— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 14, 2023
Recent Form
The most recent Premier League fixture for Liverpool ended in a 1-0 loss against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Following Newcastle’s 2-1 win against Wolves, Liverpool drop down to sixth in the league on 42 points . Bournemouth goal came on the 27th minute when Billing steered Ouattara’s low cross beyond Alisson’s reach. Before the defeat to Bournemouth, they had comprehensively beaten arch rivals Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield.
On the other hand, Real Madrid’s last league game was a 3-1 win at home to Espanyol. Real Madrid survived a scare when Joselu opened the scoring on the 8th minute for Espanyol. Vinicius and Militao scored in the first half before Asensio scored in added time to secure the win for Los Blancos.
Team news for Real Madrid and Liverpool
Benzema is expected to be back in action after not being risked against Espanyol at the weekend. Ferland Mendy is touch and go after returning from a thigh injury, while David Alaba is unlikely to feature after picking up a thigh injury of his own in the first leg.
Liverpool will still be without Luis Dias, Thiago Alcantara, Calvin Ramsey and Joe Gomez for the second leg against Real Madrid. Arthur was a unused subbed against Bournemouth and Naby Keita picked up a minor knock on the weekend and is unlikely to feature.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson (Update: ruled out); Salah, Jota, Nunez; Gakpo
Jordan Henderson and Stefan Bajcetic are ruled out of tomorrow night’s #UCL clash with Real Madrid.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 14, 2023
Prediction
It is hard to predict what Liverpool will turn up against Real Madrid. Liverpool on their day can beat Manchester United and Manchester City and on another day they can lose to Bournemouth 1-0. Real Madrid have got the experience and knowhow in Europe to get over the line against an awkward Liverpool side.
Prediction – Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
Important Match Information
Teams: Real Madrid vs Liverpool; Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu; Competition: Champions League; Date: Wednesday 15th March; Channel: BT Sport