Liverpool & Real Madrid combined XI: Brazil icon Cafu picks bold line-up | OneFootball

The Champions League returns in February and there are some blockbuster ties.

Paris Saint-Germain did not lose a game in their group but still finished second behind Benfica.

They have been drawn to play German giants Bayern Munich in the last 16.

Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea will also face off in what promises to be a closely contested tie.

But arguably the tie of the round sees Real Madrid face Liverpool in a replay of the 2022 Champions League final.

Los Blancos got the better of Liverpool in Paris last year and it will no doubt be another fascinating encounter between the two European giants.

Cafu selects Liverpool and Real Madrid combined XI ahead of Champions League clash

Liverpool have really struggled this season.

They are ninth in the Premier League and are in serious danger of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season.

Real Madrid have also not been at their very best by their lofty standards.

They are second in La Liga behind fierce rivals Barcelona.

But, despite not topping the league in Spain, you’d expect the vast majority of their players to feature in a combined XI between Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Cafu doesn’t think so, though.

TNT Sports Brasil.

GK: Thibaut Courtois > Alisson Becker

CB: Eder Militao > Ibrahima Konate

CB: Virgil van Dijk > Antonio Rudiger

LB: Andy Robertson > Ferland Mendy

CM: Jordan Henderson > Luka Modric

CM: Thiago > Toni Kroos

RW: Mohamed Salah > Federico Valverde

LW: Vinicius Jr > Cody Gakpo

ST: Karim Benzema > Darwin Nunez

In total, seven Liverpool players feature in the XI.

Courtois, Militao, Vinicius and Benzema are the only four Real Madrid players that feature.

Cafu has selected a midfield trio consisting solely of Liverpool players, despite many feeling their midfield has been their major weakness this season.

The most surprising inclusion is that of Henderson Modric.

In Cafu’s eyes it wasn’t even a debate, either. “Henderson, without a shadow of a doubt”, he said, per the Liverpool Echo, when picking between the two.

Cafu’s Real Madrid and Liverpool XI is extremely bold, to say the least.

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