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Real Madrid will take on Liverpool at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
The last time Real Madrid locked horns with Liverpool was in the UEFA Champions League final in 2018. Real Madrid registered a 3-1 win thanks to a couple of howlers from then Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius and a stunning overhead kick from Gareth Bale.
Much has changed since that game and Liverpool won the Champions League in the subsequent season. Real Madrid have had to be content with two Round of 16 exits since then and will look to use all their experience as they take on the Merseysiders in the quarter-finals this time around.
Liverpool have not had a great season but their European campaign has been quite impressive so far. But do they have it in them to see off Real Madrid? Let's take a look at some of the reasons why Real Madrid will win against Liverpool tonight.
#5 Real Madrid's flexibility with formations
Liverpool's squad is pretty injury-riddled and they will come into the game with a set plan. Three of their main centre-backs are sidelined, as are the likes of Jordan Henderson and Divock Origi. As such, Liverpool could be locked into one game plan and they will need to dig in and make it work for them.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are without Sergio Ramos. However, they've proved multiple times this season that they are pretty adept at playing with a three-man defense. Raphael Varane, Nacho and Ferland Mendy could play as the three centre-backs with Lucas Vazquez and Marcelo as the wing-backs.
Zinedine Zidane could always just go with a four-at-the-back system. However, the advantage that Real Madrid hold over Liverpool in this regard is that they can overhaul the system even during the game thanks to the personnel they have.
#4 Real Madrid are in great form
Real Madrid have got their act together in recent weeks. Los Blancos have now fought their way back into the La Liga title race and have looked a more settled side over the past month or so.
They are undefeated in their last 11 matches, winning nine of them. They have also been scoring a lot of goals and have not let in more than a goal in a game since their 2-1 loss to Levante in late January.
Additionally, Real Madrid players have that Champions League know-how. Most of their players know what it's like to navigate the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League better than their opponents.
#3 Karim Benzema is in great goalscoring form
Karim Benzema has been at his absolute best for Real Madrid over the past couple of months. In his last seven appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, Karim Benzema has scored nine goals and provided one assist.
There has been an air of inevitability about Karim Benzema these days and he is being ably supported by Marco Asensio. Asensio has also scored in each of his last three appearances. It's a great time for the Real Madrid attackers to be kicking into form and they are quite a formidable force to come up against right now.
As far as a relatively inexperienced Liverpool backline is concerned, the in-form Karim Benzema will be their toughest test yet.
#2 Liverpool are vulnerable at the back
While Liverpool's latest centre-back pairing of Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips have impressed, they might be out of their depth against a well-rounded Real Madrid attack. In addition to Benzema and Asensio, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. have looked in great touch.
Vinicius set Benzema up for Real Madrid's second goal with a good cross in their 2-0 win over Eibar this past weekend. The young Liverpool defenders will have their work cut out for them tonight and they will need to be on high-alert to contain the Blancos who are brimming with confidence.
#1 Real Madrid have the better midfield
Liverpool have not been able to field their best midfield combination for the majority of the season. Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are expected to start in midfield for Liverpool as they are their best options but they have not played together as much as anyone would have wanted.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield. It's the midfield combination that has won Los Merengues four Champions League titles in the last decade.
While Thiago is the creative presence in Liverpool's midfield, he has been nowhere near his best in his debut season for the Merseysiders. Both Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are extremely creative and as a pair, they will cause more damage than Thiago and Wijnaldum.
While Fabinho is a good defensive midfielder, Casemiro is arguably the best in the business presently. Real Madrid's midfield is their strongest suit and it's an advantage they will hold over most teams in the world.
