Match Preview

Real Madrid face Liverpool for the second time on Wednesday at Anfield as Los Blancos look to close out a 3-1 aggregate lead and advance to the Champions League semi-final.

Real have had a tough week of play as they played the first leg last week and then El Clasico over the weekend, winning both matches and taking strides both in domestic and European competition. Real have done all this while still having several key injuries to their squad.

Liverpool are starting to play a bit better in the Premier League as they have won their last three matches, but they face a tall task ahead of them with Real in the driver seat heading into this second leg.

Injuries/Suspensions

As stated, Real still have several key injuries including Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez. Fede Valverde has returned to the squad from injury.

Liverpool are still missing several key injuries of their own including Jordan Henderson, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

There are no suspensions for either club in this second leg.

Potential XIs

Liverpool

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Jota

Real Madrid

Courtois; Odriozola, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema

With Vazquez and Carvajal both unavailable, this could be an opportunity for Alvaro Odriozola to start. Zidane could also use Ferland Mendy on the right while Marcelo starts at left back.

Prediction

Liverpool—Real Madrid 1-2

While Real Madrid is in the driver seat they cannot let their foot off the gas as they need to close this one out on the road. The momentum is in their favor, but there’s still 90 minutes to settle this on the pitch.

The winner of this aggregate will face another Premier League side in Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final. If victorious, this would be the first time Real advances to the semi-finals since they won the entire competition in 2018.

These are two clubs playing good football right now and both sides will be fighting hard to advance to the next round while maintaining significant injuries. Liverpool look to make a comeback while Real Madrid look to shoot those chances down and advance.