Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Combined XI ahead of UCL clash | OneFootball

Liverpool face Real Madrid in a huge UEFA Champions League clash at Anfield this evening.

Arne Slot’s side have four wins from four games in Europe this season but next take on the holders and perennial winners of this competition. It’s a fascinating matchup between two of the most successful sides in Champions League history.

Ahead of the game, we’ve picked our Liverpool vs Real Madrid Combined XI from the players available.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Combined XI ahead of UCL clash

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois returned to the Real Madrid side at the weekend and how the Spaniards will be glad to have the big Belgian back in goal. One of the world’s best shot-stoppers, Liverpool remain haunted by his heroics in the 2022 Champions League final between the teams.

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool

Arne Slot has confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold is available for some involvement this evening, though suggested the right-back is far from full fitness. His inclusion despite that underlines his influence on this Liverpool side and just why Real Madrid are chasing a summer deal for the defender.

Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid

Antonio Rudiger has been asked to hold together the Real Madrid backline almost singlehandedly at times over the last two seasons and has done a fine job. The German is a mountainous presence for the Spaniards and relishes the one-on-one battle with top forwards. One of the finest centre-backs in the game.

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool

Still, arguably, the benchmark for central defenders. The Dutch defender has led Liverpool’s transition into the Arne Slot era with customary cool, proving to be a strong ally for his compatriot to lean upon. A domineering defensive presence, his partnership with Ibrahima Konate is one of the best in Europe right now.

Left-back: Andy Robertson – Liverpool

By his own admission, Andy Robertson has not reached the heights of old this season. However, the Scotland captain is capable of bouncing back and his energy has been an infectious part of the Liverpool side in recent seasons. Madrid, meanwhile, are targeting a new left-back next summer given Ferland Mendy’s struggles this season.

Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool

One of the surprise packages of the season, Ryan Gravenberch’s reinvention has helped propel Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table. With no obvious route into the side, Liverpool’s failure to sign a defensive midfielder has handed the 22-year-old a chance he has grasped with both hands.

He leads the Premier League for interceptions and is the only player in Europe’s top five leagues with 30+ tackles and 30+ interceptions across all competitions this season.

Midfield: Federico Valverde – Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s man for all occasions and perhaps, somehow, still underrated. Valverde never shirks any task asked of him and excelled at right-back to ease the club’s defensive injury crisis at the weekend. His mix of technical quality and endless endeavour has made Valverde one of the most effective midfielders in the game. He was deservedly handed the Real Madrid captaincy for the first time at the weekend.

Midfield: Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham insisted he was not as close to a transfer to Liverpool as claimed before making the move to Madrid, though there’s no doubt the Reds had a keen interest in a player who has cited Steven Gerrard as a hero. Bellingham’s certainly done his best impression of the Liverpool legend over the past 18 months, with some clutch moments for the European champions since arriving at the Bernabeu.

Right-wing: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Liverpool might be dragging their heels over a new deal for Mohamed Salah but there’s an argument that, at 32, he’s better than ever. No player in the Premier League has been involved in more goals than the Egyptian (16) this season, who has averaged a goal or assist every 66 minutes. A game-changing talent.

Show Mo the money – Liverpool must make exception over Salah deal

Left-wing: Luis Diaz – Liverpool

Luis Diaz has lit up the early months of the season at Liverpool, producing some of his best football since arriving at Anfield. He has nine goals in all competitions, including a Champions League hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen last time out.

Forward: Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid

Things haven’t quite clicked for Kylian Mbappe in the famous all-white just yet.

Has he unbalanced the side? Maybe. Will it work out? Probably. The Frenchman is too good a footballer to not succeed in Spain. Still just 25, only eight players in history have scored more than his 49 Champions League goals.

Read – Can Liverpool end their Real Madrid hoodoo tonight?

See more – Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Predicted lineup and team news

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