Real Madrid is preparing for a fiery match against Liverpool, in a match where they seek to achieve their fourth consecutive victory and collect the full 12 points in the Champions League group stage.
But this mission will not be easy at all, as they will face the English team at their “Anfield” stadium led by Dutch coach Arne Slot, who won the English Premier League title last season. Liverpool enters this match with high spirits after their recent victory over Aston Villa, which ended a series of negative results and restored stability to the team before facing the Royal Club.
This match brings back memories of the two teams’ meeting in the group stage last season, which ended with Liverpool winning two-nil (2-0). But the situation now seems different, as Real Madrid appears stronger and more cohesive under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, who has restored the team’s attacking style of play and tactical discipline.
Xabi Alonso with no surprises
It seems that the Basque coach prefers to keep the same lineup that achieved victory in El Clasico against Barcelona (2-1) and then against Valencia (4-0), without making radical changes.
Argentine player Franco Mastantuono is absent from the team due to a muscle injury, which means that Alonso will continue to rely on the same group that has proven its worth in recent weeks.
Real Madrid’s possible lineup against Liverpool
According to the Spanish newspaper “AS”, the formation is expected to be as follows:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois will remain the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, while Andriy Lunin returns to the bench after his suspension, in addition to young goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez.
In defense: Federico Valverde will continue to play as a right-back in light of Carvajal’s continued absence and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s failure to regain full fitness.
As for the heart of the defense, Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen will be present, while Álvaro Carreras will continue in the left-back position after his distinguished performance and scoring his first goal for the team against Valencia.
In midfield: Aurelien Tchouameni will lead the formation as a defensive pivot, assisted by Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler in various attacking roles that give the team great tactical flexibility.
Eduardo Camavinga is expected to start in the false right-wing position, a role he mastered in the Clasico match.
In attack: The duo Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior will lead the front line, in a partnership considered among the best in Europe currently.
The Frenchman is experiencing a wonderful goal-scoring period (18 goals in 14 matches), while Vinicius has regained his brilliance in dribbling and creating the difference, which confirms Alonso’s confidence in him despite their recent disagreement.
Accordingly, the formation is expected to be as follows: Courtois, Valverde, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Guler, Camavinga, Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappé.
Alonso’s press conference
During the press conference before the match, Alonso confirmed that “facing Liverpool is one of the classics of European football, both historically and currently, and it is a match that fans love to watch.”
He added: “Trent (Arnold) and I have a history here (as former Liverpool players), and coming back adds a good feeling to us, but we will focus on the match in order to get a good result.”
Regarding Mbappé missing a penalty at “Anfield” last year, and the possibility of a change this time, he said: “We decide who will take the penalties and it is Kylian Mbappé, and tomorrow he will be the first taker.”
Regarding Arnold’s readiness, he said: “Trent is fine, he did not play against Valencia because of the context of the match, but he is available and can participate and we need him.”
He stressed: “He has tremendous quality and is going through a beautiful stage and we must help him in it.”
Regarding his time as a former player in Liverpool, he said: “My time in Liverpool affected me a lot, and it was not a meaningless step, I spent 5 years with Rafa Benítez and learned a lot from football and it helped me to be here now.”
He continued: “If you love football, you will love playing there, my years in Liverpool helped me as a player and coach, and I still remember a lot of things there that benefit me today.”
Regarding the 2005 Champions League final against Milan, he said: “Before the Istanbul final against Milan and in the last league match, Gerrard shot and missed, and in the following week in the final, Benítez decided that I or Kewell would shoot, and I shot and missed as well, but I scored on the second attempt, and otherwise it is Liverpool history.”
Regarding returning to “Anfield”, he said: “I try not to let my feelings overcome me, I want to focus on the match and then whatever happens, happens, and this happens to me in any stadium I return to.”
Regarding his former player in Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz, and his lack of brilliance with Liverpool so far, he said: “I am sure that Wirtz will succeed with Liverpool, it only depends on time, the change was big for him because he spent his entire career in Germany and he must adapt, and I am eager for him to show his talent.”
Regarding why he did not train at “Anfield” stadium, he said: “The matter is not because of doubt or conspiracy, but we only have more control over our own sports city, but in Anfield we will give some ideas to the opponent and I do not see that this is the best thing.”
He concluded, “We have a lot of free-kick takers in the team, and the players have to decide who will take it.”
