'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#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.
