Real Madrid vs Liverpool - Champions League Team News and Prediction
The Champions League quarter-finals kick off tonight as Real Madrid play host to Liverpool. It's a repeat of the 2018 Champions League final as the Premier League side seek to continue their good form on the continent at the expense of the competition's most successful side.
Ahead of this massive clash, we provide all the pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Tuesday 6th April, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 2
Route to the Quarter-Finals
Real Madrid made things hard for themselves in the group stages as they failed to win their opening two matches, losing 3-2 at home to Shakhtar on matchday one before needing late goals from Karim Benzema and Casemiro from secure a point at Gladbach. Three wins from their final four matches saw them finish first in Group B to set up a last-16 meeting with Atalanta. A comfortable 4-1 aggregate win over the Italian side saw them ease into the quarter-finals where they'll face Liverpool for the first time since the 2018 final.
Liverpool used the Champions League as a distraction from their doomed Premier League defence. Wins in their opening three group stage matches meant they could afford to drop points in the return fixtures and they ultimately finished first in Group D with 13 points from their six matches. Given their domestic form, many had tipped Liverpool to struggle against Bundesliga high flyers RB Leipzig, but a 4-0 aggregate win quashed talk of a last-16 exit.
Team News
The big news for Real Madrid is the absence of Sergio Ramos, who sustained a calf injury on international duty. Liverpool fans aren't particularly fond of the Spaniard after his role in Mohamed Salah's shoulder dislocation three years ago, though welcome his unavailability in Madrid tonight. Eden Hazard and Dani Carvajal are both sidelined, however Federico Valverde has been included the squad. Casemiro returns from a ban and Toni Kroos, who was a doubt ahead of the 2-0 win over Eibar, is fit to start. Eder Militao is set to start alongside Nacho after Raphael Varane returned a positive COVID-19 test.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has no fresh injury concerns for the trip to Spain, with key defensive trio Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk all ruled out. Ozan Kabak and Nathaniel Phillips have forged a solid partnership at the back, however, and the duo should continue here. Captain Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi and Caoimhin Kelleher all miss out, though only the former would have started. After netting twice from the bench at Arsenal, Diogo Jota may replace Roberto Firmino on the frontline.
Probable XIs
Real Madrid (433) - Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Jota, Mane
Key Battle: Casemiro vs Fabinho
Brazilian players are renowned for their flair, but in Madrid tonight, two tough-tackling Brazil internationals will face off in the battle to control the midfield. Casemiro's absence in the second leg against Atalanta wasn't a problem for Los Blancos and his availability is a huge boost for Real Madrid as they look to secure a first leg advantage.
For Liverpool, Fabinho's move back into midfield has given them the defensive foundation required to dominate in the middle of the park. The Reds struggled during the Brazilian's time in defence, but with Fabinho back in his favoured holding role, Liverpool are a far tougher side to break down. The 27-year-old will be hoping to prove Real Madrid were wrong to allow him to leave back in 2013 in this crunch battle.
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Liverpool
