By Sam McGuire
Arne Slot will likely be trying to obtain one thing Jürgen Klopp did not do whereas in command of the Reds, he’ll be trying to defeat the Spanish giants. The German tactician by no means managed to beat Los Blancos throughout his time on Merseyside.
The season to this point in Europe
Liverpool have been good this time period. The Reds have performed 4 and gained 4 in Europe. They’re the one group within the Champions League to have a 100% file. Slot has guided his aspect to victories in opposition to AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen. The Reds humbled the Bundesliga champions 4–0 of their final outing to ship a message to the remainder of Europe.
Solely Inter and Atalanta (each on zero) have conceded fewer objectives than the Premier League leaders (one) whereas Barcelona (15) and Borussia Dortmund (13) can higher Liverpool’s haul of 10 Champions League objectives this time period.
They’re the top-rated FotMob group with a mean ranking of seven.34. By comparability, Actual Madrid are ranked ninth with a FotMob ranking of seven.1.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect have struggled in Europe this time period, successful two and dropping two of their opening 4 matches. Forward of the Matchday 5 video games on Tuesday night (the time of writing), they discover themselves in 18th place within the new-look Champions League format. Actual Madrid have conceded seven objectives of their opening 4 matches and are but to maintain a clear sheet. VfB Stuttgart, Lille, Dortmund and Milan have all discovered a well past the reigning champions.
Los Blancos have been giving up possibilities too. Their Anticipated Targets in opposition to complete for the season in Europe is 7.2. They’re a menace going ahead and rank second for xG this time period with 11, however defensively they’ve been a shambles.
Liverpool, in the meantime, have been dominant at each ends of the pitch. They rank third for xG (10.4) and have the third lowest xG Towards (2.8). The important thing distinction between the 2 groups is what’s going on within the defensive third.
Earlier encounters
The Reds have a horrific file in opposition to Actual Madrid. Their final win over the LaLiga group arrived in 2009. Since then, there have been eight matches between the 2 sides and Liverpool’s finest outcome was a 0-0 draw within the second leg of a recreation. And that was a match they wanted to win after dropping the primary leg 3-1.
Madrid have saved a clear sheet in three of the final 4 conferences between the 2 sides.
Throughout Klopp’s time with Liverpool, the 2 groups confronted off on six events. The Spanish group scored 13 objectives and conceded simply 4 occasions. It was a really one-sided match-up.
A win for the Reds right here gained’t exorcise the demons of 2018, 2021, 2022 or 2023, however it’d be a giant assertion within the grand scheme of issues for Slot and his squad.
Present type
Liverpool eked out a 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday to increase their lead on the high of the Premier League desk to eight factors. The Reds have gained their final 5 throughout all competitions and are unbeaten in 14. Throughout this run, they’ve gained 13 video games.
They’ve been relentless and ruthless this season underneath the previous Feyenoord boss. Even accidents to Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold haven’t derailed them.
Mohamed Salah is within the type of his life too having tailored to the brand new techniques at Anfield. His double in opposition to Southampton took his tally to 10 objectives and 6 assists within the Premier League. And he leads the best way for assists within the Champions League with 4.
Madrid are simply 4 factors off the summit in Spain with a recreation in hand. They bounced again from their 4-0 humbling in El Clásico to choose up most factors from their final two matches in LaLiga.
Towards Leganés, Kylian Mbappé scored his first aim in a month whereas Jude Bellingham discovered the again of the web for simply the second time this season. Possibly they’ve timed their resurgence to perfection.
The Harm scenario
Thibaut Courtois is again for Actual Madrid. He began the sport in opposition to Leganes and saved a clear sheet. Nevertheless, Vinícius Júnior suffered an damage that may rule him out. He joined the likes of Dani Carvajal, Aurélien Tchouaméni, David Alaba, Éder Militão and Rodrygo in a reasonably busy remedy room within the Spanish capital.
Liverpool are presumably with out Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker whereas Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are each nonetheless out. Kostas Tsimikas must be match sufficient for a spot on the bench having missed the sport in opposition to Southampton with a knock.
One factor is for positive, this gained’t be Liverpool’s finest XI versus Actual Madrid’s finest XI.
Prediction
Liverpool ought to have the ability to lastly defeat Actual Madrid. In the event that they do, they will use it as a springboard for his or her upcoming recreation within the Premier League in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. The Reds are in type and have a more healthy wanting squad. However you may by no means write off Los Blancos, particularly not within the Champions League.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You may comply with each recreation from the Champions League with FotMob this season — that includes deep stats protection, xG, participant rankings, and a brand new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Obtain the free app right here.