The 25/26 Champions League’s ‘League Phase’ draw revealed some interesting fixtures to look forward to. For the fifth year in a row, Europe’s most decorated team, Real Madrid meets Liverpool in a league phase tie at Anfield during Matchday 4.
Head to Head
The most significant meeting in recent years between the two clubs has been the 2022 Champions League Final where an unstoppable Real Madrid side faced one of the strongest Liverpool team of the last decade. Liverpool, who were on the brink of completing the Quadruple (winning all four major trophies in a single season), before Man City clinched the title on the final day of the Premier League. What followed the next week was pure defensive brilliance from Thibaut Courtois in the final for the ultimate European glory. Vinicius Junior’s goal was the only goal scored in the match that day, but had it not been for the Belgian international goalkeeper, the scoreline could’ve gotten embarrassing for Los Blancos.
Their meeting in 2024 for the 24/25 UCL League Phase match at Anfield saw a different story as the hosts dominated the then defending European champions, marking their first victory over the Spanish side for the first time in 15 years. The victory was achieved in an emphatic way as a Liverpool side that was challenging for every single title at that point, thrashed a struggling Real Madrid side 2-0. This statement win helped the Reds gain a huge psychological boost which was ever so important in their pursuit to win silverware.
Preview
Los Blancos overcame a challenging Barcelona side in this season’s first El-Clasico, courtesy of Kylian Mbappe’s opener and Jude Bellingham’s winner. The latter spent a couple of months on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury which required surgery. After returning from rehab, the English international has scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist including the winners against Juventus and Barcelona.
Kylian Mbappe is one of the best strikers on the planet and his start to the 25/26 season has been nothing short of world class. Having already scored 18 goals and provided 2 assists, it’s no secret that he will pose a huge threat to Liverpool’s defence.
Liverpool’s recent return to winning ways gives them a boost to handle this unstoppable Real Madrid side, as the Reds head into the international break before playing Real Madrid at home and Man City at the Etihad. Arne Slot will feature his best squad and will go full throttle against Los Blancos.
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool’s injury situation got worse as both Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak were taken out of the pitch due to a muscle and groin injury, respectively, during their 5-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Anfield will miss their first-choice keeper, Allison, who sustained a hip injury against Galatasaray, where the Reds lost 1-0. Giovanni Leoni will not feature for his team as the 18 year-old Italian suffered a Cruciate Ligament injury which keeps him out until next year.
There are no official reports suggesting midfielder Curtis Jones or Alexander Isak are fit enough for this game, however if they are to be available for selection, it’s rightfully assumed they would start the game from the bench.
Despite this extensive injury list, the current Premier League title holders gained a boost as midfield Ryan Gravenberch returned from injury and announced his return in style as he scored Liverpool’s second goal to put the tie to bed against Aston Villa over the weekend.
Probable Lineup: Mamardashvili (GK), Bradley, Van Dijk (C), Konate, Kirkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike
Real Madrid
The only long term absentees for Los Blancos are captain Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger, who remains sidelined due to a leg injury he sustained in September.
Carvajal featured for only 18 minutes against Barcelona after being sidelined for a month, and is again expected to miss this match due to a knee injury, forcing him to be sidelined again until the start of next year.
David Alaba remains a doubt for this fixture, with no official reports suggesting otherwise.
Probable Lineup: Courtois (GK), Valverde (C), Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Bellingham, Tchoumeni, Guler, Vinicius, Mastantuono, Mbappe
Current Form (Last 8 games)
Real Madrid: WWWWWWLW (All Competitions)
Liverpool: WLLWLLLL (All Competitions)
Players to Watch
Kylian Mbappe, as always will be the player to have an eye on in this fixture, as he’ll want to return to scoring ways at Anfield after his penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher during their 2-0 loss last season. The French international has only scored one goal against Liverpool which came during his PSG days in the 18/19 season at Anfield. The current European Golden Boot holder has been a machine in front of goal since he joined Madrid and will pose a huge threat to the Reds’ backline.
Jude Bellingham will be a key piece of the puzzle for Xabi Alonso’s side in this game, having been used as a ‘transitional number 8’ instead of his preferred ‘number 10’ role. After his recovery from a shoulder injury, the 22 year-old lit up the pitch against a challenging Getafe side before he would go on to score the winners against Juventus and Barcelona, having assisted Mbappe in the latter. The scoring didn’t stop there as the English international registered a third goal in three matches in a 4-0 victory over Valencia.
Liverpool will look to their main man, Mohammed Salah to bring in his best form against a powerful opponent, something everyone knows he is more than capable of. The technical ability and quick decision making of the Egyptian King will more than likely cause Real Madrid’s backline some issues. The 33 year-old scored the opener against Aston Villa, capitalising on a mistake by goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, highlighting his quick and accurate decision making.
The midfield duo of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will likely cause a stir in the middle of the park, as the latter will look to score against Madrid again, after scoring the opener in their previous meeting.
Match Prediction
Betting odds: 2.55 (Liverpool), 3.90 (Draw), 2.60 (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid have won 13 of their 14 matches across all competitions this season and will look to continue with that momentum and domination. However, despite Liverpool’s rocky start to the season they still remain a dangerous threat in all areas and any mistakes or miscues could give them an edge to capitalise on.
We say Liverpool 1-3 Real Madrid.
