Real Madrid: Expected Lineup for the Upcoming Match

As attention turns to the PSG vs Bayern Munich clash, many will also watch another major match tonight: Liverpool vs Real Madrid at Anfield. Real Madrid arrives full of confidence, unbeaten in the Champions League with three consecutive wins. They recently secured a convincing 2-1 win against FC Barcelona in El Clasico and a commanding 4-0 victory over Valencia. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team aims to continue their perfect run in the Champions League, especially as Liverpool struggles, having won against Aston Villa at home but facing a tough stretch with only two wins in their last eight matches (two wins, six losses). In this yearly matchup, Madrid has frequently triumphed, but Alonso will be without Franco Mastantuono due to a pubalgia injury, along with Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba. However, he can field a strong lineup with French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga likely starting. Federico Valverde is expected to take the right-back position, while Jude Bellingham will play closer to Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé. Trent Alexander-Arnold will start on the bench as he returns to Anfield.

For Liverpool, coach Arne Slot faces a significant absence with Alexander Isak missing, which may lead him to opt for a more compact and solid lineup similar to last year. The Swedish forward, who joined from Newcastle this summer, has yet to find full synergy with his teammates. The Reds are likely to field a formation similar to the one against Aston Villa, featuring a defense of Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté in front of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will support French striker Hugo Ekitike, while Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister fill the midfield. The only uncertainty lies in Szoboszlai’s position, where he might be shifted to right-back to accommodate Curtis Jones in midfield, although Jones is just returning from injury.

Probable Lineups

Liverpool: Mamardashvili – Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk (c), Robertson – Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister – Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo

Real Madrid: Courtois – Valverde (c), Militao, Huijsen, Carreras – Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Güler, Bellingham – Vinicius, Mbappé