Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Reds Seek Revenge in Anfield Clash Against Club Legend | OneFootball

Anfield forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering Champions League showdown between familiar European rivals Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso returns to his old stomping ground as Madrid manager for a real clash of the titans.

Indeed, this fixture served as the Champions League final twice in the past seven years, with Los Merengues emerging victorious on both occasions.

Revenge will, therefore, be at the forefront of the Reds’ minds as they aim to build on a morale-boosting 2-0 home win over fellow Premier League rivals Aston Villa last weekend.

Arne Slot’s charges halted a two-game losing streak in domestic action and will be out to consolidate their pursuit of automatic last-16 qualification in the Champions League following a 5-1 rout of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Madrid’s quest to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase is going to plan after three consecutive victories at the start of the competition, including a narrow 1-0 home triumph over Juventus last time out.

Test of Character

It’s been a rather difficult start to the season for Liverpool, even though they commenced their title defence in the Premier League with five successive wins.

Slot’s men have since lost four of their five league matches, dropping seven points behind early pacesetters Arsenal.

With that in mind, Champions League football could come as a welcome distraction for the six-time European champions, especially considering their formidable home form in this tournament.

The Reds have racked up a jaw-dropping 15-game winning streak at Anfield in the group/league phase, netting at least two goals in their last 14 such outings.

A dramatic 3-2 victory over Madrid’s bitter rivals, Atletico Madrid, earlier this season forms part of Liverpool’s five-game winning run against Spanish visitors in the group/league phase.

Perhaps surprisingly, none of Liverpool’s last 29 games at Anfield at this stage of the competition has ended as a draw, suggesting this fixture will likely go one way or another.

Unstoppable Force

Unlike Liverpool, Los Blancos have hit a purple patch following an unconvincing start under Alonso, racking up a six-game winning run in all competitions, which started with a 5-0 thrashing of Kairat Almaty in the Champions League.

Though the two challenges are hardly comparable, given that the Kazakhstan champions are making their first appearance at Europe’s top table, Madrid will take the field in high spirits.

Fresh off a 4-0 demolition of La Liga underachievers Valencia last weekend, the visitors should be confident of strengthening their superb group/league phase record.

Madrid have won 15 of their last 18 matches at this stage (L3) and can rely on their dominant record against Liverpool in their pursuit of a flawless four-match start to the competition.

The record-time European champions have only lost four of their 13 previous UEFA clashes against the Anfield outfit (W7, D1). However, one of those defeats came in the last meeting between the two sides in November 2024.

While that may not faze Madrid much, the fact that they’ve only won two of their last nine encounters against Premier League clubs (D3, L4) seems like a genuine source of concern.

Team News

There’s a growing injury list at Anfield, which now includes marquee summer signing Alexander Isak.

In addition to the former Newcastle United striker, Liverpool will be without Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni.

However, Slot can draw confidence from Ryan Gravenberch’s return from an ankle issue.

As for Madrid, long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are still unavailable for selection.

Rising star Franco Mastantuono and first-choice centre-back Antonio Rudiger are also out.

Potential Line-ups