Liverpool vs Real Madrid Champions League Build Up
European nights at Anfield carry their own electricity, and a clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid always comes laced with history, pressure and a generous dose of tactical tension. This latest Champions League meeting arrives with Liverpool riding high under Arne Slot, fresh from a title win last season, yet dealing with notable absences and selection questions. Team news has dominated pre match discussion, particularly given the stakes and the familiar narrative of adversity sharpening Liverpool’s edge.
Real Madrid know this setting all too well, having frustrated Liverpool in recent years, although Slot has added fresh rhythms to this team, leaning on intensity, clever positional play and decisiveness in transition. The challenge now is maintaining momentum without key figures.
Injuries Shape Liverpool Plans
Alexander Isak remains unavailable, and his price tag has inevitably made each absence more of a talking point. The groin injury picked up against Eintracht Frankfurt has kept the British record signing out for three matches, and his name did not appear on the training sheet again yesterday. Arne Slot confirmed: “All three are unavailable for tomorrow. Jeremie and Alisson will both be unavailable for Sunday.
“With Alex, we have to wait and see. Definitely not starting on Sunday but maybe involved in the squad. He is still not training with the team so we have to wait and see.”
Alongside Isak, Liverpool are also without Alisson Becker and Jeremie Frimpong, reducing rotation options and forcing clarity in selection. Giovanni Leoni remains a longer term absentee.
Hugo Ekitike will once again take centre stage, and he arrived for this moment with confidence after scoring against Frankfurt in the Reds’ last Champions League outing. The French forward carries a different threat to Isak, offering movement between lines and a willingness to run channels, traits that could unsettle Real Madrid’s centre backs.
Midfield Options Return
Ryan Gravenberch returned from an ankle issue in the crucial 2-0 win over Aston Villa and is pushing to feature from the start. His ability to progress play and glide past markers may be vital in wrestling midfield territory against Madrid. Curtis Jones trained on Monday and although still doubtful, his presence on the pitch at Melwood hints at possible involvement.
Slot is also weighing his stance on summer arrivals Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez. Both endured difficult starts to life at Liverpool and were left out against Villa, creating focus on whether either can regain a place for such a high stakes fixture. Wirtz arrived with big expectations and scrutiny naturally rises when immediate impact does not follow a large price tag.
Liverpool predicted XI: Mamardashvili, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo
Kick off at Anfield comes at 8pm GMT, broadcast live on Amazon Prime. Liverpool fans will hope familiar European magic returns under Slot, with Real Madrid once again positioned as rivals chasing dominance on this grandest of stages.
