Leaders Liverpool face holders Real Madrid for a blockbuster clash at Anfield in the fifth game of the Champions League 2024/25 League Phase.
LIV vs RM Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 27 November 2024 / Thursday, 28 November 2024
Time: 21:00 (CET), 01:30 (IST)
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
LIV vs RM Match Preview
Liverpool are flying high in all competitions in the first season under Arne Slot with the 3-2 comeback win against Southampton this weekend putting them six points clear at the top of the Premier League table. It was Mohamed Salah's show again as his brace kept their 14-game unbeaten streak, 13 of them being wins, intact even though the Egyptian openly showed his dismay over a deadlock in a contract extension. Nevertheless, his professional attitude on the pitch with 12 goals in all competitions this season is helping his side charge for all major honours. The Reds are the only side to carry a 100% record continentally, leading the League Phase table, scoring 10 goals and conceding just once. Their 4-0 trouncing of Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield in the last Champions League game showed the brute force of the side which Milan, Bologna and Leipzig also witnessed. Now with the holders visiting the Merseyside, Slot’s team seeks revenge for the two disappointing final defeats in 2018 and 2002 and failing to win this fixture since 2009. The Reds will not find a better opportunity to end their barren run in this meeting which will strengthen their position at the top and prepare them well for the top-two clash against Manchester City in the league after this.
An eight-game unbeaten streak, including seven wins, in this meeting will be the biggest motivating factor for Real Madrid who managed to get over the El Classico shock and the 3-1 Champions League defeat to Milan both at Santiago Bernabeu by securing two huge wins over Osasuna and Leganes in La Liga. Los Blancos hit seven goals without conceding in the last two matches easing off the building pressure. However, Carlo Ancelotti's side is hit severely with an injury crisis that includes star forward and scorer of the 2022 final winner Vinicius Junior missing out for the midweek clash with a hamstring. Even after scoring nine goals in 17 matches, summer signing Kylian Mbappé has not been as impactful as expected pinning all the attacking brilliance on the Brazilian. The defence has also lost key stars like David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao through ACL injuries. Still, Real Madrid hopes to work the royalty in the competition and remind the Reds of the 5-2 thrashing they handed on their last trip to Anfield last year. The team suffered a 1-0 loss to Lille in their only other away game of the competition this season but they hope that doesn’t play a part against a formidable host.
LIV vs RM Recent Form (all competitions)
LIV: WWWWW
RM: WLLWW
LIV vs RM Recent Form (Champions League)
LIV: WWWW
RM: WLWL
LIV vs RM Predicted Lineups
Liverpool
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
Real Madrid
Courtois; Vazquez, R Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Modric; Guler, Bellingham, Diaz; Mbappe
LIV vs RM Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Mohammed Salah
Vice-captain Picks: Luis Diaz, Kylian Mbappé
LIV vs RM Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Kelleher (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 119)
DEF: Vazquez (Cr - 8, Pts - 130), Van Dijk (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 209), Rudiger (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 213),
MID: B Diaz (Cr - 6.5), Valverde (Cr - 8, Pts - 75), Szoboszlai (Cr - 7.5, Pts -149), Bellingham (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 136), L Diaz (Cr - 9, Pts - 220)
FW: Salah (Cr - 9, Pts - 220), Mbappe (Cr - 9, Pts - 166)
Vice-captain: Luis Diaz
Captain: Mohammed Salah
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Match Prediction
Carrying a sublime form and looking like a terrific unit under Slot, Liverpool should end their 15-year wait to win this fixture against an injury-ravaged Real Madrid with the fortress Anfield helping them in the cause. We predict a 3-1 win for the Reds.
