Anfield prepares itself for a huge UEFA Champions League showdown on November 27 as Liverpool host Real Madrid.
The two clubs have built up a major rivalry in recent seasons, with Los Blancos winning seven and drawing one of their last eight meetings with the Premier League side including victory over Jurgen Klopp in the 2018 and 2022 finals.
However, the Arne Slot era has breathed fresh air into Liverpool, and they face Carlo Ancelotti's visitors as EPL leaders and with maximum points from their four Champions League games so far this season.
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Real Madrid closed the La Liga title gap to four points with victory over Leganes over the weekend as they aim to chase down Barcelona.
However, Ancelotti's defending European champions have endured a mixed start to the new league phase of the 2024/25 tournament with two wins and two defeats so far.
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news
This game comes too soon for Trent Alexander-Arnold to start, although he is at least fit for the bench.
In a twist, Alexander-Arnold misses out against the team rumoured to be chasing him as part of a 2025 free transfer, with Slot preferring to keep him for Liverpool's weekend league clash with Manchester City.
Conor Bradley continues in Alexander-Arnold's place at right-back, with Caoimhin Kelleher covering for injured No.1 Alisson Becker. Alexis Mac Alister starts after coming off the bench in the 3-2 win over Southampton.
Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa remain sidelined.
Liverpool (4-3-3, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones — Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Injuries: Alisson, Jota, Chiesa, Tsimikas
MORE: All the latest Champions League news | How does the 2024/25 Champions League work? | Full UCL match schedule
Liverpool's injury issues pale in comparison to the list of absentees for Real Madrid with Brazilian talisman Vinicius Junior ruled out. Ancelotti confirmed the shock update ahead of the flight to Liverpool with the 24-year-old suffering a hamstring injury against Leganes.
Fellow Brazilian Rodrygo Goes has not recovered from a muscle injury in time with Aurelien Tchouameni still sidelined with a sprained ankle.
Federico Valverde remains at right-back for this one, with Arda Guler a surprise choice in midfield. It looks like Jude Bellingham will operate as a false 9, much as he did last season, with Kylian Mbappe starting in Vinicius' usual role on the left.
There is a Champions League debut for Raul Asencio at center-back.
Real Madrid (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy — Arda Guler, Camavinga, Modric — Brahim Diaz, Bellingham, Mbappe
Injuries: Alaba, Carvajal, Militao, Vinicius Jr, Tchouameni, Rodrygo, Ramon
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Champions League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Paramount+, Fubo, ViX, Univision NOW, TUDN.com, TUDN App, UniMas |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | TNT Sports 1 | discovery+ |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| India | Sony TEN 2, 3 | Sony LIV, JioTV |
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