Liverpool vs Real Madrid predicted lineups and team news | OneFootball

Liverpool are bidding to extend their perfect start in the Champions League when they face Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid predicted lineups

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Raul Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Modric; Guler, Bellingham, Brahim Diaz; Mbappe

The Reds have won all four of their games in Europe this season and their clash with defending champions Real kicks off at 8pm.

Salah’s contract comments unwanted distraction for Liverpool

Liverpool have enjoyed a dream start to the post-Jurgen Klopp era and the Reds are looking forward to a couple of cracking fixtures at Anfield this week.

Arne Slot’s men are aiming to extend their winning streak in the Champions League against Real Madrid before Sunday’s vital Premier League game against struggling champions Manchester City.

The only cloud hanging over the club is the uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s new contract. Speaking after Sunday’s 3-2 win at Southampton, where he scored twice, the 32-year-old said: “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club. I’m probably more out than in.”

Those remarks will concern Liverpool supporters, especially given Salah’s starring role in their early-season success under Slot.

The Egyptian forward has contributed 10 goals and six assists in 12 Premier League starts, also coming off the bench to score in the EFL Cup rout of West Ham United.

Salah has been directly involved in five of Liverpool’s last seven Champions League goals, scoring one and setting up four, so Reds fans will be monitoring his contract negotiations closely.

Like Salah, Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has scored only once in the Champions League this term and, with Vinicius Junior set for a spell on the sidelines, the former PSG man needs to step up.

Mbappe, controversially left out of France’s squad for this month’s Nations League fixtures, has scored seven goals in his last nine La Liga starts and is averaging five shots per game in this season’s Champions League.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti, speaking before the weekend fixture against Leganes, defended Mbappe from criticism, saying: “Every great forward has had a bad run.”

Mbappe rewarded Ancelotti’s faith by scoring the opening goal in a 3-0 victory and Real Madrid, 18th in the Champions League table after four matches, will hope he can showcase his talent at Anfield.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid team news

Harvey Elliott returned to Liverpool’s matchday squad for Sunday’s win at Southampton but Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) is unlikely to be rushed back for Wednesday’s game.

The Reds are still missing injured goalkeeper Alisson, winger Federico Chiesa and forward Diogo Jota while Arne Slot may have one eye on Sunday’s crucial Premier League fixture against Man City.

Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz, who came off the bench at St Mary’s, are expected to replace Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo in the starting line-up.

Real Madrid are missing Vinicius Junior, who suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s win over Leganes. He joins long-term absentees Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao on the sidelines and Aurelien Tchouameni and Rodrygo are also unavailable for the trip to Merseyside.

Lucas Vazquez has travelled but remains a doubt so Federico Valverde could fill in at right-back with youngster Raul Asencio starting at centre-back. First-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returned to action at the weekend.