This is the first UEFA Champions League meeting between Real Madrid and Liverpool since the 2018 final, which the Spanish side won 3-1. This was the third consecutive UEFA Champions League tournament Real Madrid had won, while Carlo Ancelotti is the only manager who has won the competition as often as Zinedine Zidane (3).
Liverpool have made three changes to their side that beat Arsenal last time out. Jota gets the start in the final third to replace Firmino after scoring off the bench against the Gunners. Wijnaldum and Keita are also restored to the side in place of Thiago and Milner. Klopp keeps faith in Phillips alongside Kabak in the middle of the backline.
Madrid are without their starting centre-back pairing of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane for the contest. Ramos is sidelined due to injury, while Varane tested positive for Covid-19. Militao and Nacho deputised in their win over Eibar last time out and continue in the heart of the defence. Zidane has made one change to the team that beat Eibar as Vinicius replaces Isco in the final third.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Thiago, James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Adrian, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas, Xherdan Shaqiri, Ben Davies, Rhys Williams, Harvey Davies, Jake Cain.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ozan Kabak, Nathaniel Phillips, Andrew Robertson; Naby Keita, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota.
REAL MADRID SUBS: Marcelo, Andriy Lunin, Federico Valverde, Alvaro Odriozola, Isco, Mariano Diaz, Rodrygo Silva, Diego Altube, Sergio Arribas, Victor Chust.
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez, Ferland Mendy; Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric; Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior.
Liverpool seemed back to their best in a 3-0 triumph over Arsenal on the road in the Premier League last time out. Jurgen Klopp’s men have recorded three wins in a row since losing to Fulham at the beginning of March. Their form on the road has been exemplary, highlighted by their 2-0 win over RB Leipzig in the last round of the competition. Klopp will be eyeing a similar effort tonight.
Real Madrid enter the contest in optimum form having reeled off four wins on the bounce in all competitions. Los Blancos were excellent in the round of 16 to see off the threat of a dangerous Atalanta side, but now have to raise their game against the Reds, who they defeated in the Champions League final in 2018. It will be a test of Zinedine Zidane and his team to determine whether they are trending in the right direction under the Frenchman’s tenure second time around.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the first leg Champions League quarter-final clash between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the Alfredo Di Stefano.
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