PREVIEW: Sluggish Liverpool host imperious Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League | OneFootball

Liverpool have been in slight turmoil since their defeat away at Crystal Palace back in September. The Reds have gone from top of the table to (at one point) seventh. Recently they have manged to steady the ship and pick up results again, but massive question marks remain.

In the midst of their dire league form, Liverpool also tasted defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul where a Victor Osimhen goal was the difference and moved Arne Slot’s men down to 10th in the Champions League table. They managed to wrestle back some form with a convincing 5-1 victory away at Eintracht Frankfurt but have still not looked the side that ran away with the League last season.

Their massive summer spending has been well documented and their main stars’ struggles to integrate themselves into the side and into some form.

Their visitors have been as impressive as ever this season. Real Madrid are leading La Liga by five points and have only tasted defeat once this season, winning their other 10. Their 26 goals can largely be attributed to Kylian Mbappé; the Frenchman has been in remarkable form for Xabi Alonso this season and is a constant threat whenever he’s near the ball. Youngsters Franco Mastantuono and Arda Güler have been exceptional, as Alonso’s men remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season having only conceded one goal.

They will be without Mastantuono however, as the young Argentine has suffered inflammation of his pubic bone and does not have a return date in mind yet. He joins other key players such as David Alaba, Antonio Rüdigerand Dani Carvajal in the treatment room. While Los Blancos are light in defence, their incredibly strong attack and midfield will mean they are still as much of a threat as any side in the competition.

Liverpool are without record signing Alexander Isak, new right back Jeremie Frimpong, midfielder Curtis Jones, keeper Alisson and centre-half Giovanni Leoni. The Reds do have enough depth to deal with such injuries and the options have been performing in the wake of injuries to these star players. Liverpool still posses a lot of threat in Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and of course Mohamed Salah, and while these players have been underperforming in recent weeks, there is little to suggest their quality isn’t there and that they can’t cause Real Madrid problems. A sub-plot could form should Trent Alexander-Arnold start in place of the injured Dani Carvajal, potentially resulting in an emotional return to his boyhood club for the first time since his controversial sale to Madrid in the summer.

A victory for Liverpool would take them up to six and level on points with Real Madrid, while Alonso’s side could reach top spot with victory at Anfield.

Predicted line-ups

LIV: Mamardashvli; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike

RMA: Courtois; Trent, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Vini .Jr; Mbappé