Liverpool - Real Madrid possible starting line-ups for Champions League
Jürgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane head into the UCL quarter-final second leg at Anfield with some crucial decisions to make regarding some key players.
Jürgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane have named their respective squads for this evening’s Champions League quarter-final second leg between Liverpool and Real Madrid. Anfield is a stadium famous for some memorable, and seemingly miraculous, comebacks, but tonight The Reds will be missing their legendary 12th man - the fans.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid news:
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: team news
That said, the players that the German can call upon have proved over recent seasons that they have the ability, and energy, to take apart any opponent, both home and away. Unfortunately for the Premier League champions, those same players have, inexplicably, shown the precise opposite over recent months.
Following the first leg 3-1 win for Los Blancos at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium, both clubs came away with vital three points in their domestic campaigns. Liverpool's last-gasp victory over Aston Villa keeps them in the hunt for a top four finish, while Madrid's Clásico win over Barcelona not only gave them the important bragging rights over their bitter rivals, but also took them closer to Atlético at the top of the table.
Mané, Firmino, Salah, Jota?
The three first choice central defenders - Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip - remain on the sidelines, so Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak will likely feature once again.
Jordan Henderson won’t be fit in time to feature in the second leg, but Curtis Jones, who didn’t play against Aston Villa, could be ready to feature, although would be a surprise choice in a midfield three.
Sadio Mané was rested for much of the weekend's game and could well return to the starting XI, while Mohamed Salah will be assured his place as the most lethal of the strikers in current form. Klopp will either err for the clever link-up play of Roberto Firmino or the more explosive and direct Diogo Jota alongside them, but don't be surprised to see all four attackers if the situation calls for it.
Where's the Madrid defence?
As for Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane will also miss out on the second leg.
And the bad news for Zidane goes on, as Lucas Vázquez could be out for the season after a cruciate ligament sprain, so Álvaro Odriozola will feature from the start on Wednesday.
Federico Valverde, who was recovering from a bruised foot, has travelled with the rest of the team but it’s unclear if he will be ready to play and Asensio will likely get the role. Eden Hazard has had to miss out once again.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: team news
Liverpool possible starting line-up
Alisson, Robertson, Kabak, Phillips, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago, Wijnaldum, Mané, Salah, Firmino
Real Madrid possible starting line-up
Courtois, Odriozola, Militao, Nacho, Mendy, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius