Real Madrid possible starting lineup against Liverpool in the Champions League

Real Madrid travel to Anfield needing to pick up points from their game against Liverpool on Wednesday after a disappointing start to this season’s Champions League.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who have lost two of their first four fixtures, will be hoping to edge their way up the standings towards the top eight, who will qualify directly for the round of 16 after eight games. If they ultimately manage to do so, they will avoid a playoff round and adding two extra games to an already congested schedule.

Making a case for Real Madrid against Liverpool

Los Blancos face the Premier League leaders in a positive frame of mind after fine performances in comfortable wins over Osasuna and Leganés, while several members of the squad also impressed with their national teams in November. Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler have shown glimpses of their best form, while young defender Raúl Asencio has caught the eye following Eder Militão’s ACL injury.

Additionally, Real Madrid are undefeated on their last three visits to Anfield. In two wins and a draw, they have scored eight goals and conceded only two.

First-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is back in the fold after missing Champions League defeats to Lille and AC Milan. On the other hand, the LaLiga giants have won the two games he has played in, against Stuttgart (3-1) and Borussia Dortmund (5-2).

Liverpool fans are unlikely to have forgotten the Belgian’s incredible performance in the 2022 Champions League final, in which he made nine saves against a formidable Reds attack featuring Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino.

Ferland Mendy is also expected to come back into the team, with Ancelotti claiming after the win over Leganés the left-back would be “very important” against the Reds.

Real Madrid Champions League injury update

There are, however, six first-team players who are unavailable, all of whom are key figures. Long-term absentees Militão, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal are joined on the sidelines by Aurélien Tchouaméni, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, who scored twice and assisted another two goals the last time Madrid visited Anfield in February 2023.

Lucas Vázquez, however, is ready to return after recovering from an injury picked up at the start of November. Despite that, Fede Valverde looks likely to stay at right-back, which means either Ceballos or Güler will start ahead of him. Will Ancelotti opt for the more attack-minded Turk or the former Betis schemer, who would offer greater control in midfield?

Possible Real Madrid XI vs Liverpool

Real Madrid look likely to line up as follows at Anfield:

Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Güler or Ceballos, Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Brahim, Mbappé.

Brahim’s position could determine whether Los Blancos start with a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 system. If Ancelotti plays him behind Mbappé or off the right, Bellingham can come inside from the left and also act as a second striker.

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