Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Match preview | OneFootball

An easy win against Leganes is set to be followed up with a stern test as Real Madrid lock horns against Liverpool at Anfield in match day 5 of the UEFA Champions League.

Just a few hours before announcing the squad for this fixture, Vinicius Junior was ruled out for the next 3-4 weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Vinicius’ injury comes as a blow since the Brazilian was in supreme form and also has an incredible record against Liverpool, having scored 5 goals, with only Karim Benzema having more (7).

This means Carlo Ancelotti will have to make some changes since Rodrygo is also not in the squad. Arda Güler or Brahim Díaz may get a rather unexpected start for this battle.

On the other hand, Lucas Vazauez is back from injury way earlier than was expected. With Fede Valverde performing well at right-back, it will be interesting to see whom Ancelotti chooses to start in that position, Especially since the Italian manager mentioned that Fede was placed there due to an “emergency.”

Real Madrid are surely thin on attacking options with there only being Kylian Mbappe, Endrick, Brahim and Castilla striker, Gonzalo Garcia.

Speaking of the front line, it was a delight to see Kylian Mbappe amongst the goals and with Vinicius’ absence, this is the best chance for the Frenchman to show what he is capable of doing since the World Cup winner will be leading the frontline at Anfield.

As far as the defence is concerned, it will be the first real challenge for the duo of Raul Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger. They looked comfortable against Leganes but Liverpool might prove to be the complete opposite.

Ferland Mendy is expected to start and negate the Mohammad Salah threat since Fran García has defensive vulnerabilities and the Egyptian can take advantage of them.

The home side, Liverpool are on song this season, having lost just 1 match and sitting at the top of the Premier League table with a lead of 8 points.

Arne Slot has truly gotten the best out of this side and they have been a force to reckon with this year.

Mo Salah has 12 goals and 10 assists in 18 matches since August and has arguably been the best player in the world.  But the right winger has not been the only guy Liverpool has relied on for goals. Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota have made some useful contributions as well.

Their midfield woes from last season seem to have been solved with Ryan Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai being in top form.

However, they may be without the services of Trent Alexander Arnold as even though he was back in training, Arne Slot commented that the Englishman will not start but can play a few minutes later on.

With the Englishman not in line to start, Mbappe can exploit Liverpool’s weakness over there and make them pay.

Expect this match to be a thrilling clash, as an in form Liverpool look to finally end their nightmare against the Merengues and secure a win against one of the most stacked squads in Europe. Champions League nights are well and truly back.