Liverpool will be eager to build on their recent rot-stopping win over Aston Villa when they host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Although the Reds’ form ahead of Xabi Alonso’s return to Anfield isn’t particularly great, they did pick up a timely confidence boost at the weekend.
Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Villa ended a four-game losing streak in the Premier League and eased the pressure on manager Arne Slot.
However, the Reds will be up against a Real Madrid side in superb form, having won 13 of 14 games this season, including all three in the Champions League so far.
The big talking point of the game involves Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to make his first appearance back at Anfield since swapping Liverpool for Real over the summer.
Liverpool team news vs Real Madrid
Slot has confirmed that Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak are ruled out of the Real Madrid clash due to injury.
Summer signing Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee with an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Curtis Jones trained with the squad on Monday after a two-game absence, but Slot did not provide a specific update on his availability.
As for Real Madrid, they will be without Franco Mastantuono, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger.
Liverpool predicted starting XI
Liverpool predicted starting XI vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
Gazette result prediction
On paper, Real Madrid will be favourites for this game, considering their amazing form compared to a Liverpool side that has underperformed in recent weeks.
However, the game is being played at Anfield, and the crowd will be absolutely fired up for this encounter.
The Reds fans can always be trusted to make Anfield a terrifying atmosphere for opponents, particularly high-profile ones like Real Madrid.
And then there’s the matter of Alexander-Arnold’s return, which will merely add fuel to the fire.
As a result, we feel Liverpool can hold Real to a draw and pull themselves up into the top eight.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Real Madrid
