‘Somebody ought to discover a new job’ – Klopp on UEFA’s organisation of CL closing
Liverpool resume their Champions League marketing campaign with a troublesome take a look at within the spherical of 16 once they tackle holders Real Madrid. This conflict is a repeat of the 2022 closing which noticed Carlo Ancelotti’s males raise the trophy after a heart-breaking 1-0 victory over the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s aspect have a poor file in opposition to the Spanish champions. They haven’t overwhelmed Real Madrid in any of the final six conferences – a run which dates again to March 2009. During this time Liverpool have managed only one draw, a goalless affair within the 2021 quarter-final second leg, which noticed Madrid progress by way of the spherical after a 3-1 victory on the Bernabeu.
Yet, this match comes at a good time for Liverpool. Klopp’s males have recorded back-to-back wins for the primary time this 12 months and their ahead trio of Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo appears to lastly be clicking. Madrid, in the meantime, are on a four-game successful run which has seen them win the Fifa Club World Cup following a 5-3 victory over Al-Hilal. They are in assured type and will probably be concentrating on consecutive Champions League wins with Barcelona eight factors clear on the high of La Liga.
Can Liverpool defeat the Champions League winners at Anfield?
Follow all of the motion because the last-16 knockout phases get underway:
Liverpool vs Real Madrid predicted line-ups
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Bajcetic, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Ceballos, Modric, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Michael Jones21 February 2023 18:10
What is the early workforce information?
Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago Alcantara and Calvin Ramsay are confirmed absentees for Liverpool. Arthur Melo stays a doubt as he continues to get better from a long-term thigh harm which hasn’t seen the midfielder play since Liverpool’s 4-1 loss to Napoli within the group phases.
Nunez was pressured off earlier than the hour mark in opposition to Newcastle on the weekend with a shoulder harm, with Klopp saying there’s “a chance” the Uruguayan will characteristic in Tuesday’s conflict.
The guests will probably be with out Mariano Diaz and Ferland Mendy with the pair out with long-term accidents. Ancelotti confirmed that Dani Carvajal has totally recovered from a lingering muscle harm and will probably be obtainable whereas neither Toni Kroos nor Aurelien Tchouameni will characteristic having missed Madrid’s weekend sport by way of sickness.
Karim Benzema additionally missed the sport in opposition to Osasuna however can be anticipated to return for the midweek fixture.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 18:05
How to look at Liverpool vs Real Madrid
The match will kick off at 8pm on Tuesday, 21 January at Anfield.
The match will probably be obtainable for followers to look at on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. Coverage begins on each at 7pm.
Michael Jones21 February 2023 18:00
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Good night and welcome to The Independent’s protection of tonight’s Champions League motion as Liverpool host Real Madrid within the first leg of their last-16 conflict.
This fixture kicks off at 8pm and is a repeat of the 2022 closing when Madrid defeated Liverpool 1-0 in Paris due to Vinicius Junior’s second half strike. Thibaut Courtois was named participant of the match that night time as a consequence of his unbelievable show between the sticks and he’ll be hoping to repeat that efficiency at Anfield tonight.
Real Madrid have had an detached marketing campaign in La Liga this season – for his or her requirements anyway – and discover themselves trailing Barcelona by eight factors within the league. That means Carlo Ancelotti is more likely to concentrate on European soccer as Madrid’s finest likelihood of accumulating silverware. They’re unbeaten in six matches in opposition to Liverpool, final shedding to the Reds in March 2009, and will probably be assured of defeating Jurgen Klopp’s males as soon as once more.
Liverpool’s home season has been equally underwhelming. They are eighth within the Premier League and attempting to get into the race for the highest 4 however solely a run of victories will see them obtain that. Another chance of securing European soccer subsequent season is by successful the Champions League. That received’t be straightforward however Klopp’s workforce have received back-to-back video games for the primary time this 12 months and have constructed a little bit of momentum going into their largest match of 2023 to this point. Can they lastly defeat Real Madrid?
Michael Jones21 February 2023 16:46