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Liverpool host Real Madrid at Anfield in what promises to be an intriguing UEFA Champions League second leg encounter on Wednesday night. The Reds, however, have a mountain to climb if they are to make it through to the semifinals, with Real Madrid recording a comfortable 3-1 victory in the first leg at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.
Jurgen Klopp's side failed to hit the ground running in Spain and were made to pay by the record European champions, as they produced a clinical display in front of goal. Vinicius Jr was the star of the show for Real Madrid, as he notched up a brilliant brace and ran Liverpool ragged with his explosiveness on the ball.
Real Madrid's midfield also functioned much better as a unit, with the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro using all their experience to control the game in the center of the park.
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Liverpool left with a glimer of hope against Real Madrid thanks to away goal
Liverpool's European hopes hang by a thread, but the Reds are still in with a fighting chance of making it through to the semifinals. However, they will have to perform much better than they did in Spain to pull off a famous comeback against Real Madrid.
On that note, here are five things Liverpool need to ensure they give Los Blancos a run for their money at Anfield.
#5 Attack Alvaro Odriozola's flank to exploit his defensive frailties
With Dani Carvajal unavailable, Lucas Vasquez deputized at right-back in the first leg and performed admirably for Real Madrid. The experienced Spaniard was a bundle of energy and caused Liverpool a handful of problems in the final third with his nimblefootedness and crossing, while he also held his own defensively.
However, Vasquez picked up a PCL injury against Barcelona and was replaced by Alvaro Odriozola at half time. The former Bayern Munich loanee didn't have the best of outings after coming on, as he struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game.
Liverpool can take advantage of Odriozola's inexperience and cause some serious damage down his flank, with Sadio Mane set to come up against him. Real Madrid have a handful of injury concerns, but their right flank in particular will be a major cause for concern if Odriozola performs like he did against Barcelona.
#4 Start Thiago Alcantara in midfield
Jurgen Klopp's team selection for the first leg raised a few eyebrows, as Naby Keita got the nod in midfield ahead of Thiago Alcantara. The Guinean was expected to provide the spark in the center of the park with his ability to take on players, but that wasn't to be the case.
Keita endured a torrid outing and was withdrawn before half-time for Thiago, as Klopp seemingly acknowledged his error by making a change so early in the game.
Liverpool played much better in the second half with Thiago in midfield, as he kept things ticking and wasn't shy of getting on the ball. Klopp admitted after the game that the decision to play Keita in place of the Spaniard was purely tactical, but the German is likely to give Thiago the nod at Anfield later this week.
With his experience and skillset, the 30-year-old could prove to be Liverpool's X-factor on the night.
#3 Ensure that the full-backs attack Real Madrid judiciously
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have arguably been the best full-back pairing in Europe over the past two seasons, with the Liverpool duo giving Jurgen Klopp the best of both worlds with their ability on the flanks. However, against a side as experienced as Real Madrid, they will need to be wary of the counter-attacking threat posed by the visitors.
Both players played important roles in Liverpool's last-gasp victory against Aston Villa, as they left it late to salvage all three points. While Robertson's shot was parried onto Mohamed Salah's path for the equalizer, Alexander-Arnold's magnificent strike proved to be the winner for the Reds in stoppage time.
Against Real Madrid, though, the Liverpool full-backs will need to concentrate for 90 minutes and try to keep a clean sheet. If the Reds concede on the night, they will need to score at least three goals to have hopes of making it through to the semifinals.
Never say never in football, but judging by Liverpool's form in 2021, they are unlikely to score three home goals against a champion side like Real Madrid.
#2 Be wary of the threat posed by Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr's talent was always clear, but the Brazilian's end product and decision-making in the final third often let him down. However, in recent weeks, the explosive winger has been in stunning form for Real Madrid and seems to have finally come of age for Los Blancos.
The 20-year-old was the star of the show in the first leg, as he scored two goals on either side of half-time to put his side in pole position. Vinicius ran Liverpool ragged and produced arguably his best display in a Real Madrid shirt, as he repaid Zinedine Zidane's trust in him.
Liverpool will need to work as a team to keep him quiet on the night, as he is likely to devastate most players in 1v1 situations if he's on song.
#1 Start a front 4 of Jota, Mane, Firmino and Salah
Liverpool need to score a minimum of two goals to stand a chance of making it through to the UEFA Champions League semifinals, so Klopp could be tempted to go all guns blazing at Anfield. While Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have been underwhelming this season, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah have produced the goods regularly in front of goal.
Last week, Firmino had to settle for a place on the bench, as Jota spearheaded the Liverpool attack. The Reds lacked cohesion in the absence of the Brazilian, who returned to the team and produced a lively performance against Aston Villa.
Klopp's exciting front four were all on the pitch when they beat Arsenal 3-0 earlier this month, as Diogo Jota came off the bench to score a brace for the reigning Premier League champions. The German tactician might be tempted to change formation and play all four of them against a depleted Real Madrid side, with Firmino playing deeper as a #10.
