Liverpool are winless in eight encounters with Real Madrid, losing seven of them, defeated in two Champions League Finals during this period, but the Reds are firm favourites to defeat los Blancos this time.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Preview
At the mid-way point of the inaugural Champions League league phase, only one team have collected maximum points and they are Liverpool. Following victories over AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig, the Reds crushed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 at Anfield three weeks ago, with Luis Díaz the scorer of a second half hat-trick in front of the Kop. Thus, they have already cement their spot in the knockout stages, very much on course to remain in the top eight, possibly even the top one. In the Premier League meantime, things are going pretty well for Arne Slot's side too. On Sunday, the Reds were made to work for it, but did still manage to beat bottom of the table Southampton 3-2 at St Mary's.
After Dominik Szoboszlai had broken the deadlock by the South Coast, the Saints turned it around and had a shock lead, only for Mohamed Salah's late double, the second of which was an emphatically taken spot-kick, to snatch all three points. Thus, Liverpool are now eight points clear at the top, ahead of Manchester City's visit to Merseyside this forthcoming Sunday, knowing victory in that heavyweight clash would open up a, potentially, unassailable 11-point advantage over the four-in-a-row champions. Before then of course, the small matter of a visit from the reigning, 15-times European champions but, the way the Reds are going right now, you have to make them favourites to beat anyone and everyone.
Real Madrid meanwhile were supposed to be unstoppable this season. Los Blancos captured a sixth Champions League title in just 11 seasons, while also cantoring to the La Liga title last time round, before adding arguably the best player on the planet to their ranks. Well, football is never quite that simply is it? So far, Carlo Ancelotti's team have won two and lost two in the Champions League, beating both Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabéu, fighting back from 2-0 down in the latter, but tasting defeat against both Lille in Northern France and then when AC Milan visited the Spanish capital earlier this month.
So, with three of their four remaining league phase fixtures away from home, still to visit Atalanta and Brest, the holders must improve if they're to end-up higher than their current position of 18th. In La Liga meanwhile, los Merengues were hammered 4-0 by Barcelona in last month's Clásico, an ignominious battering on their own turf, albeit Sunday's 3-0 victory over Leganés at Butarque lifted them back up to second, a mere four points adrift their Catalan rivals. Here, having already slipped-up twice in the Champions League, Real Madrid can ill-afford another defeat here, but there are few trickier places to go than Anfield right now.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 11.
- Liverpool Wins: 3. Draws: 1. Real Madrid Wins: 7.
Liverpool Team News
First-choice goalkeeper Alisson has not yet recovered from his hamstring injury, so Caoimhín Kelleher will once again deputise, while Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are also sidelined, although Harvey Elliott was back on the bench at the weekend, hoping to see action for the first time since August following a broken foot. Meanwhile, hot on the heels of long trips to South America, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Díaz both began the trip to Southampton on the bench, but the pair are expected to return this time.
In less good news, Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off against Aston Villa before the international break so, with Man City visiting at the weekend, he's unlikely to be risked, meaning Conor Bradley is set to start a Champions League match for the very first time, doing so against the record-winners no less. Mac Allister and Ibrahima Konaté would sit out December's trip to Girona if cautioned.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Real Madrid: (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Luis Díaz.
Liverpool Player to Watch vs Real Madrid
Mohamed Salah's double to down the Saints took his tally to 12 for the campaign already, while the Egyptian has only scored twice in eight career appearances against Real Madrid, but you wouldn't back against him finding the target here, would you?
Real Madrid Team News
Carlo Ancelotti is very short of defensive options, considering Éder Militão, David Alaba, Lucas Vázquez, Daniel Carvajal and Aurélien Tchouaméni are all currently sidelined, many of whom are out long-term. As a result, he deployed a very makeshift back-line at Butarque, featuring Fede Valverde at right-back alongside Raúl Asencio, making his full-debut no less, in the middle. In better news, Thibaut Courtois was back in goal, having not featured since 22 October due to an Adductor issue. In attack, with Rodrygo injured and Endrick under-utilised, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé will be deployed as a front two, still yet to click as a combination. Luka Modrić, Eduardo Camavinga and Vini Jr would all sit out the upcoming trip to Bergamo if booked on Merseyside.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Liverpool: (4-4-2): Courtois; Valverde, R Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Modrić, Bellingham, Güler; Mbappé, Vinícius.
Real Madrid Player to Watch vs Liverpool
Kylian Mbappé scored during his only previous outing at Anfield, on target for PSG over six years ago, so having taken his tally to nine for the campaign against Leganés, will the Frenchman strike again?
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Prediction
We're ultra-confidently forecasting a Liverpool victory. The Reds are unstoppable just now, while a depleted Real Madrid are anything but, so we simply cannot see Arne Slot's side not collecting three more Champions League points in Wednesday's heavyweight clash: Liverpool 3-1 Real Madrid.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid FAQs - Champions League
How to watch Liverpool vs Real Madrid Champions League game on TV channel?
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Liverpool vs Real Madrid Champions League game on live streaming?
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: discovery+
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Liverpool vs Real Madrid in the Champions League?
Liverpool vs Real Madrid takes place on Wednesday 27 November 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).