Liverpool host Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at Anfield this week.
Venue: Anfield
Key Statistics
Real Madrid have won 6 of their last 7 matches (Champions League).
Real Madrid have won their last 4 matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
Liverpool have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches against Real Madrid
Liverpool
The Reds were beaten comprehensively in the first leg and it will be interesting to see if they can overturn the 3-1 deficit at home.
Liverpool managed to end their wretched home record with a late win over Aston Villa on Saturday and that will give them some much needed confidence ahead of this crucial encounter.
While a two-goal lead is not insurmountable, Liverpool have been quite inconsistent this season it will be a massive challenge for them without their fans.
The Reds will be without the services of Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez for this game.
Possible Liverpool starting line-ups
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ozan Kabak, Nat Phillips, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Gini Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
Unavailable: Henderson (groin), Van Dijk (knee), Gomez (knee), Matip (ankle)
Doubtful: Kelleher (abdominal tear), Origi (muscular)
Misses next match if booked: Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Mané, Milner, Wijnaldum
The first goal for Madrid [in the first leg] was a genius long ball. But the other two goals we didn’t defend well enough. If they have a throw-in 15 yards from goal and there’s no challenge until they score, it makes absolutely no sense. We have to change that.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be full of confidence heading into this contest after their performance last week.
They managed to bypass the Liverpool defence with ease and Los Blancos will fancy their chances of another win here.
Real Madrid managed to beat Barcelona in El Clasico at the weekend and that will have given them immense confidence.
The Spanish outfit have managed to beat Liverpool in their last four meetings and they will be favourites here as well.
The away side will be without Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Raphael Varane, Daniel Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez due to injuries.
Possible Real Madrid starting line-ups
Thibaut Courtois; Alvaro Odriozola, Nacho, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy; Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric; Vinicus Junior, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio
Unavailable: Ramos (calf), Lucas Vazquez (knee), Varane (illness), Hazard (muscular), Carvajal (hamstring)
Misses next match if booked: Mendy, Valverde
What we need to do is play another great game; we need this to get through to the semi-finals. This team are ready to compete. We’re going to try and win this game. The team always comes together when things get difficult. That demonstrates the character of this team.
We’re not going to waste our resources. Real Madrid always go out on the pitch to win. We’ve used so much energy against Liverpool and Barcelona but we’re going to have to play at our maximum intensity again, and we’re ready for that.
Tomorrow’s game is the only game we have in our minds. We just have to try and get to the semi-finals.
Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid Manager
Betting Odds
Prediction
There is no doubt that Liverpool are a formidable side at home and they have the quality to beat Real Madrid.
However, they are lacking in confidence and momentum right now and Real Madrid have too much quality for their inexperienced centre backs.
This should be another away win for the Spanish outfit.
Liverpool 1-2 Real Madrid