Real Madrid travels to Liverpool to play the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Jürgen Klopp’s team.
The last time these two clubs met was in the last Champions League final, when Ancelotti’s men won their fourteenth European Cup after winning 0-1 thanks to Vinícius Junior’s goal.
This duel that has become a European classic, since in three of the last five Champions Leagues both teams have met. History plays in favor of the visitors, who have won four of the last five matches between them; the other was a draw.
Klopp’s men come to the game as their last chance to try to win a title this season, since the ‘reds’ are right now out of European positions in the Premier League. Thiago Alcántara, Luis Díaz, Konaté and Firmino are out due to injury.
The meringues suffered a drop in performance after the World Cup break, but they are not in the league in second position (8 points behind Barcelona) and have just won their last four games, including the victory against Al-Hilal that made them win the Club World Cup. Mendy, Kroos, Tchouaméni and Mariano are out.
Possible alignments of Liverpool – Real Madrid
Liverpool: Alison; Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Bajcetic, Keita; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Nacho; Camavinga, Modric, Valverde; Rodrygo, Vinicius and Benzema.
