Liverpool vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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It is the marquee tie of the league phase as six-time European champions Liverpool welcome 15-time European champions Real Madrid to Anfield this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Paramount+
Liverpool preview: Much-needed win
At the weekend, Liverpool managed to defeat Aston Villa by two goals to nil at Anfield of goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch. It was a pressure easing victory for Arne Slot after a woeful couple of months of form for the Reds.
Prior to that victory, Liverpool had suffered six defeats in seven matches across all competitions, with their one win coming in this competition as they dispatched of Eintracht Frankfurt by five goals to one in Germany.
Real Madrid preview: Impressive Los Blancos
Xabi Alonso and his Real Madrid side have been very impressive at the start of this season as Los Blancos come into this one on the back of a 4-0 hammering of Valencia the other day with Kylian Mbappe starring once again for the Spaniards.
Madrid have a fight-point lead at the top of La Liga with 13 victories and one defeat from 14 matches across all competitions so far this season. Los Blancos haven’t necessarily been overly convincing but are getting better week by week.
Liverpool team news: Keep it the same
Having finally delivered a win in the league against Villa, Liverpool will be keen to ensure things remain as similar as possible here with an unchanged eleven for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
Unavailable: Alisson (Injured), Leoni (Injured), Frimpong (Injured), Jones (Injured), Isak (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Madrid team news: TAA could start
With an injury to Dani Carvajal, it could well be that Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the Madrid eleven for this week at Anfield and it will likely be a very fierce reception.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Valverde; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe
Unavailable: Alaba (Injured), Rudiger (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Guler (Injured), Mastantuono (Injured)
Questionable:
Liverpool vs Real Madrid prediction
There will remain concerns for Liverpool that, even in victory against Villa at Anfield the other day, they were still cut open on the odd occasion. They now face a Madrid side that will, unlike the Villains, certainly punish the Reds with the abundance of quality that they have. Liverpool will fancy getting at a still susceptible Madrid outfit but the visitors have to be viewed as firm favourites at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Tip: Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
