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European giants Real Madrid and Liverpool are just 24 hours away from kicking off one of the highly-anticipated clashes in the UEFA Champions League so far. The Blancos and the Reds famously battled in Kyiv three seasons ago in the UCL final, where Gareth Bale came off the bench to inspire Zinedine Zidane's men to a 3-1 win with a breathtaking cameo.
However, the two sides' fortunes have changed dramatically since the last time they faced each other. For starters, Loris Karius — the man who cost Liverpool the game with two moments of madness in Kyiv — is nowhere near the first XI and has been replaced by one of the world's best keepers, Alisson Becker. The Brazilian was instrumental in helping Liverpool reach the final in 2019 and win their sixth European crown.
After failures in the UEFA Europa League and League Cup final, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool were still waiting for their first significant piece of silverware when they last faced Real Madrid. However, they are set to face Zidane's men as the reigning champions of the Premier League this time around.
On the other hand, Los Blancos have not had the best of times since their famous 13th UCL title. Superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo left the club almost immediately after winning in Kyiv, and Zidane followed suit soon after. Julen Lopetegui and Santi Solari were both sacked as head coaches, which paved the way for Zidane to return and guide Real Madrid to their second LaLiga Santander title in four years. However, they faced two exits at the UCL round of 16 in two years.
The English and Spanish champions have one thing in common this year as both have been hit with a raft of serious injuries. Superstar defenders Sergio Ramos and Virgil van Dijk — widely regarded as two of the best defenders in Europe — are both set to miss the blockbuster clash.
Real Madrid have been hit with a total of 47 injuries so far, the highest figure for any side in European football. Liverpool have seen starting defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both ruled out for the season, with the likes of Joel Matip, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, and several other key players sidelined for long periods.
As they gear up to face each other at the Alfredo Di Stefano, here, we take a look at the best possible combined XI between the Blancos and the Reds. Only players who are fit for the game will be eligible for the list, leading to the likes of Ramos and Van Dijk being excluded.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
In one of the more difficult choices to make across the pitch, Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois edges the goalkeeper spot for the combined XI. The towering Belgian had a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital but went on to establish himself as one of the best keepers in the world.
The 2019/20 Zamora Trophy winner has been the backbone of Real Madrid's stellar defence last year and this year as well. Courtois has conceded just 23 goals in 29 appearances for Zidane's side in LaLiga, boasting a save percentage of 79.5 in the league with 12 clean sheets.
Alisson has been in superb form this year as well, conceding 26 goals in 25 games in the league with a save percentage of 72.5. He's even had a better record than Courtois in the UEFA Champions League. However, Alisson's injuries, coupled with the fact that he's made the joint-most number of errors leading to goals in the league this year, gives Courtois the edge in goal.
The Brazilian is certainly the better sweeper keeper, but the Belgian is the more assured shot-stopper as he ranks in the 94th percentile in Europe for save percentage and goals conceded.
Also read: 5 Greatest players to never win the Premier League title
Defence: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ozan Kabak, Nacho Fernandez, Ferland Mendy
Of all the areas on the pitch, it is the back four that is, perhaps, the easiest to select due to the vast number of injuries suffered by both sides.
The two centre-backs in the side practically select themselves due to the sheer lack of fit defenders at both managers' disposals. Star defenders Sergio Ramos and Virgil van Dijk could have been the go-to defensive pairing if they were available for selection. However, Ozan Kabak and Nacho Fernandez are the two best available centre-halves set to take part in the game on Tuesday night.
Kabak has bounced back admirably well since his nightmare debut against Leicester City and, in the absence of Gomez and Van Dijk, the on-loan defender has impressed with Klopp's men. He may have only arrived a couple of months ago, but Kabak has already proven to be a timely and important acquisition for Liverpool.
With Sergio Ramos missing for a month, and Raphael Varane testing positive for COVID-19 earlier today, Nacho Fernandez is in line to play as a central defender for Los Blancos. The Spanish international is one of the most versatile players in world football and is set to partner Eder Militao at the heart of the defense. Real Madrid's backline has a different look to it, but they will have to make do with it in the coming weeks as their injury woes continue to deepen.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the natural choice for the right-back role in the combined XI despite his sub-par campaign so far in comparison to his record-breaking 2019/20 season. The Englishman is still one of the best right-backs in the world and, in this case, walks into the side as Los Blancos' first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal has spent a large part of the campaign sidelined due to injury.
The choice between Ferland Mendy and Andy Robertson was another difficult one, but the Frenchman edges this one out over the Liverpool man for this side as the latter hasn't been at his sublime best. Mendy has been in excellent form this year in the UCL as well as LaLiga Santander, and completes this four-man defence alongside his compatriot Varane.
Also read: 5 Best right-backs in world football this season (2020/21)
Midfield: Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric
Real Madrid's all-conquering midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro all earn their places in the combined XI due to their superb form this year. The Blancos midfield trident is one of the reasons Real Madrid are still in the hunt for LaLiga.
Modric has rolled back the years with a string of brilliant displays this season amidst Real Madrid's injury crisis. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner's displays have been so good that the club are reportedly in talks to offer Modric a one-year extension this summer even at the age of 35. He ranks in the 90th percentile or higher in shot-creating actions, dribbles completed, progressive passes and carries this season.
Modric has been the heartbeat of Zidane's side alongside Kroos, who has had another stellar campaign so far. Much like the Croat, Kroos has arguably enjoyed one of his best campaigns in recent seasons at the heart of Real Madrid's midfield and has, once again, proven himself to be one of the best playmakers in Europe.
The German superstar ranks in the 99th (!) percentile for passes attempted and progressive passes per 90 for midfielders across Europe, 98th for expected assists (xA) and 97th for shot-creating actions. Kroos and Modric have been supported tirelessly by Brazilian destroyer Casemiro who has remained as important as ever for Zidane's men.
The 29-year-old ranks in the 95th percentile for blocks, aerial duels, and clearances across Europe and is one of the main reasons for their excellent defensive record. He is also Real Madrid's second-highest scorer after Benzema this season, which is remarkable for his position on the pitch.
Casemiro compatriot and rival, Fabinho, is perhaps the only Liverpool player who could potentially be included in this side based on this season. The likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara have been far from their best, due to which Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro make it to the XI.
Also read: Most expensive footballers in the world in each position
Attack: Diogo Jota, Karim Benzema, Mo Salah
The attack is another area of the pitch that isn't particularly hard to pick due to the options available at hand. Mo Salah surely has to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Reds as he continues to establish himself as one of the best players in the world, let alone best forwards.
The Liverpool superstar is their highest scorer this season by some distance, scoring a staggering 26 goals and four assists in 41 games across all competitions. Remarkably, the Egyptian forward averages 8.51 touches in the penalty area, which puts him in the 99th percentile for players in the top five leagues, further highlighting his surreal positioning and ability to retain the ball under pressure.
His Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota, occupies the other flank in this XI at the expense of Premier League and Champions League winner Sadio Mane, who has had a very forgettable campaign so far. Jota has taken Anfield by storm and has already shown why Liverpool were willing to part with a massive £45m fee for his services.
The Portuguese's energetic displays have endeared him to the Reds' faithful almost immediately and his impact on the pitch has been incredible. Jota has registered a goals-per-90 tally of 0.68 this season which places him in the 99th percentile for non-penalty goals across Europe, highlighting his efficiency and eye for goal. His eight league goals came from just seven starts, making this an even more incredible achievement.
Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema rounds off this combined XI as the central striker. The Frenchman picked up right where he left off last year and has been Los Blancos' primary source of goals this season. He's scored 24 goals for them, which is four (!) times that of the next highest scorer, Casemiro, who has six to his name.
Benzema ranks in the 90s in terms of percentiles for non-penalty goals, expected assists, pass completion percentage, shots, and touches in the penalty area. The 33-year-old was famously branded as the best French striker ever by Blancos boss Zidane, and while that is something that can be debated upon, Benzema's contribution to Real Madrid's season simply cannot be overstated.
The likes of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes, and Marco Asensio pale in comparison to Liverpool's Salah and Jota, while Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane's troubled campaigns ensure that Benzema's spot in the front three is not up for debate.
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