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Real Madrid are set to play host to Liverpool at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Tuesday for the first leg of the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool have struggled to get going this season, but come into this game on the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Arsenal. Jurgen Klopp's side are 6th in the Premier League table, two points behind 4th-placed Chelsea.
Injuries have not helped their cause. Centre-backs Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all out due to long-term injuries, while players like Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Diogo Jota have all missed chunks of the season due to various injury issues.
When the two clubs faced each in the finals of the 2018 UEFA Champions League, the match was filled with talking points and several controversial moments.
Real Madrid have had struggles of their own this season and Liverpool will be fairly confident.
We look at:
Liverpool's predicted XI against Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League 2020/21
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and he will surely start against Real Madrid. The Brazil international has had some issues with injuries in recent seasons and manager Jurgen Klopp will be wary of his fitness condition.
The 28-year old has kept seven clean sheets in 25 Premier League games this season, with the defensive personnel in front of him constantly revolving.
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold's omission from the England squad for recent international fixtures raised some eyebrows. The 22-year old responded in emphatic fashion, producing a fine display in a 3-0 win over Arsenal. He will keep his place in the line-up against Real Madrid.
Centre-backs are a problem for Liverpool, though. The absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip has resulted in Klopp utilizing a mixture of young players and midfielders as centre-backs. Liverpool signed Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies in January from Schake and Preston North End respectively to deal with the issue.
Nathaniel Phillips has arguably benefitted a lot from a sustained run in the first XI. The 24-year old was close to joining Swansea City last summer but now looks set to start a crucial Champions League game against Real Madrid.
He will be partnered by Turkey international Ozan Kabak. The 21-year old endured a slow start to his Liverpool career but has done well in recent weeks.
Andrew Robertson has been a consistent presence at left-back for Liverpool. The Scotland international continues to impress with his attacking and defending prowess and is one of the best left-backs in the league. He will have a crucial role to play against Real Madrid.
Also Read: 5 most valuable players in the Premier League this season
Liverpool Midfielders
Real Madrid have some of the best midfielders in the world, in the form of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro. It will be important for Liverpool to ensure that their midfield has the same variety.
Fabinho was used as a centre-back by Klopp for a few months, and the Brazil international did well in that position. However, his performances in midfield were sorely missed. The 27-year old is excellent defensively and protects the backline well.
Thiago Alcantara's signing was heralded when it happened last summer. Injuries have not helped, but the Spain international's abundant quality will be crucial against the likes of Casemiro.
Rounding off the Liverpool midfield will be Georginio Wijnaldum. The Netherlands international has been an ever-present under Klopp's management. His contract expires in the summer, and the 30-year old has been in the news often because of that. Real Madrid's rivals Barcelona have been linked with him.
Liverpool Forwards
Much of Sadio Mane's work goes under the radar. The Senegal international is one of the best forwards in the Premier League, who constantly performs for Liverpool.
Diogo Jota looks set to start over Roberto Firmino. It will be a brave decision by Klopp, with Firmino a mainstay in Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League success. However, Jota has been in fine form since his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, and it looks like he could replace Firmino in the first XI soon.
There will be immense focus on Mohamed Salah. The Egypt international did not play a major role when Liverpool lost the Champions League final in 2018 to Real Madrid, having been substituted due to an injury. The 28-year old has been linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona of late and will be eager to put in a strong performance against Los Blancos.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Real Madrid (4-3-3) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Nat Phillips, Ozan Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Mane, Jota, Salah
Also Read: How will Real Madrid Lineup vs Liverpool? | UEFA Champions League 2020-21
