Liverpool vs Real Madrid combined XI based on 2024-25 league form | OneFootball

Two of Europe’s football powerhouses will renew hostilities in the Champions League this week as Liverpool hosts defending champions Real Madrid.

This match will also be a repeat of three previous European Cup finals (1981, 2018, and 2022), with Los Blancos triumphing in the last two encounters.

Heading into this mouth-watering clash, both teams are experiencing contrasting forms in this revamped competition and on the domestic front. Arne Slot’s men have started the campaign perfectly, being the only team with a 100% record after the opening four matchdays. In contrast, Real Madrid finds itself in an unusual position, currently sitting 18th out of 36 teams, having lost twice and winning their remaining fixtures.

In La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti’s side has not started their championship defence strongly and is three points behind early leaders Barcelona, albeit with a game in hand. Liverpool, on the other hand, are in a strong position in England’s top flight, sitting eight points clear of second-place Manchester City.

All eyes will be on Anfield, showcasing a plethora of world-class talent on the field. Constructing a combined XI would be challenging even in the best of times, but we’ll attempt it with one criterion in mind: it will be based on this season’s form so far.

GK: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool)

In terms of backup performance, Liverpool could not have asked for a more reliable substitute than Caoimhín Kelleher, who has once again stepped in for first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury. So far this season, Kelleher has made six appearances in the Premier League. During his time on the pitch, the Irish shot-stopper has kept two clean sheets and conceded six goals (one every 90 minutes). Notably, he’s showcased his skills by saving one penalty and has effectively prevented an estimated 1.13 goals from being scored against him.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

At one point in the recent past, Alexander-Arnold was widely regarded as the premier right-back in European football. While opinions may vary on whether he still holds that title today, it is clear that he is regaining some of his previous form, driven by a strong desire to improve. He has shown a commitment to becoming a more well-rounded full-back, as indicated by his impressive statistics, which include creating a league-leading six big chances and making 24 tackles.

CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

The well-known adage suggests that while form may be fleeting, class is enduring—few exemplify this better than Virgil van Dijk in recent years. There were doubts about whether the towering Dutch defender had experienced a significant decline in performance, but it is unwise to underestimate a player of his calibre, even as he nears his mid-30s. Van Dijk has successfully reaffirmed his status as the number-one centre-back in the Premier League, an honour that comes with fierce competition. His contributions have been pivotal for Liverpool, as shown by their impressive record of six clean sheets, the highest in England’s top division. Additionally, he leads the league in interceptions, which leads to possession retention (22).

CB: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)

There was some scepticism when he first moved from Chelsea, but Antonio Rudiger has since emerged as the leader of Real Madrid’s backline in the post-Sergio Ramos era. Among central defenders in Spain’s top league who have played at least 630 minutes, only two players have a better retention rate than Rudiger’s impressive 91.71%. Additionally, he ranks in the 95th percentile for successfully initiating offside traps and creating big chances. This highlights his defensive prowess and demonstrates his ability to contribute offensively, showcasing a well-rounded skill set that balances his primary defensive responsibilities with an attacking threat.

LB: Andy Robertson (Liverpool)

Andy Robertson, a player who has consistently thrived within Jurgen Klopp’s tactical framework, is now under the guidance of another offensively-oriented coach. The Scottish international possesses exceptional defensive skills, yet he seldom finds himself in a position where they are required, as he eagerly advances into attacking positions at every chance. There are few, if any, left-backs globally who can match his prowess, particularly highlighted by his impressive shot placement ratio of 2.61, the highest among all left-backs in the Premier League.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)

Currently regarded as the finest central midfielder in the Premier League, Ryan Gravenberch is also emerging as a leading candidate for the title of Europe’s top ‘number six’. His performance this season under Slot has been truly impressive. After a period of adjustment during his first year in England, the Liverpool midfielder has truly excelled. Gravenberch has significantly contributed to Liverpool’s midfield dynamics, recording an average of 1.92 interceptions and 1.25 tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. Furthermore, he boasts an impressive ball retention rate of 88.09%. When he is on the field, the team averages only 0.67 goals conceded per 90 minutes.

CM: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)

Toni Kroos has retired, while Luka Modric is approaching the final stages of his illustrious career. In anticipation of these transitions, Real Madrid has strategically enhanced their midfield over recent years. The talented French duo Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni are poised to take on significant roles, yet it is the Uruguayan playmaker Federico Valverde who consistently shines the brightest. Valverde, known for his versatility in midfield, impressively ranks in the 95th percentile among La Liga midfielders for key metrics such as interceptions, forward passing accuracy, and shots on target.

CM: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

Jude Bellingham’s unwavering self-confidence ensured that his first season with Real Madrid would be an extraordinary success. Although he was not particularly known for his goal-scoring abilities during his time at Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 12 goals over three Bundesliga seasons, the 21-year-old has impressively found the back of the net 19 times this season, making a significant contribution to their successful campaign for the Spanish championship.

While he started somewhat tentatively with two goals in his first nine appearances, it is the other aspects of his game that set him apart from the rest. Notably, no central midfielder in La Liga has a more robust work rate than Bellingham, who averages 1.49 take-ons per 90 minutes—a league-leading statistic that highlights his relentless drive forward. His dynamic playing style has often led to comparisons with Kaka, another midfielder who thrived under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti.

RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

A recurring theme of Liverpool’s season has been the resurgence of prematurely dismissed players, showing that they still have much to contribute and then some. Mohamed Salah, currently in the final year of his contract amid ongoing speculation about his future, is one of these players making a statement. He is reminding both Premier League and Champions League fans of his enduring skill and talent. Salah is competing for the title of the Premier League’s most valuable player, having currently scored more goals in the English top flight than all but Erling Haaland and providing more assists bar Bukayo Saka.

CF: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)

The long-anticipated transfer saga concluded when Kylian Mbappe finalized his highly publicized move to Real Madrid during the summer, following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain and subsequent entry into free agency. This transfer underscored Florentino Perez’s commitment to securing the future of Los Blancos, as the French superstar joined a well-rounded and experienced squad, which boasts an average age of 27.2 years.

With his impressive track record, expectations for Mbappé are sky-high, and any failure to meet these expectations could result in extensive media scrutiny. After a slow start where he failed to score in his initial three league matches, he quickly found his form, netting five goals in four consecutive games. Despite facing some setbacks due to injury, he has contributed two additional goals in five appearances during a season that has already proven challenging but potentially rewarding.

LW: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Many observers believed that Vinícius Júnior should have been awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Known for his resilience in the face of challenges, he will likely use this oversight as motivation for his future endeavors. During a season in which he achieved his first Champions League treble against Borussia Dortmund—a team that is quickly becoming his favored rival on the European stage—Vinícius also scored eight goals in 13 league matches. Unfortunately for Real Madrid supporters, he will be sidelined for the upcoming match at Anfield due to a leg injury.

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