Not Mbappe or Vinicius – Liverpool boss identifies Real Madrid’s biggest threat ahead of UCL showdown | OneFootball

A fascinating clash awaits later tonight as Real Madrid and Liverpool are set to face off in the UEFA Champions League in one of the league stage’s biggest games.

Los Blancos have faced off against the Merseyside club several times in recent years and have usually had the upper hand over them. Their most recent outing, however, saw the Reds take home the win.

With the game taking place at Anfield, it is safe to say that the Premier League side will have a slight edge. Real Madrid, however, are in far better form and have the momentum on their side.

The key plan

Facing off against Real Madrid, Liverpool manager Arne Slot is undoubtedly aware of the danger posed by the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. who headline Real Madrid’s attack.

As relayed by Defensa Central, however, he has asked his players to keep a special eye on, and thoroughly control, a third player who he feels can hurt his side the most – Jude Bellingham.

Returning to his best version. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“It is key that we can stop him, that he does not come from behind to hurt us,” Slot reportedly has ordered his troops, making it clear how highly he rates the midfielder.

Slot’s fear of Bellingham’s prowess is understandable, given that the Englishman is proficient at reading the game, making runs through the middle and hurting opposition on the counter. Further, he is a defensive menace and provides stability in terms of the team’s press.

It remains to be seen if the manager has a special plan in place to cage Bellingham, but what is clear is that the youngster will look to come out all guns blazing as he takes to the field in his home nation.

After all, he is just returning from a surgery that kept him out for months and was fantastic in El Clasico. Looking ahead to tonight’s clash, there is no reason he cannot be the difference maker again.