Liverpool FC have all to play for come Wednesday night at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s men seek to overturn a two-goal deficit when they play hosts to Real Madrid in the second leg of the last eight meeting in the Champions League.
The Reds had come out second best to their Spanish counterparts in the game held last week in Madrid but had gained a crucial away goal through Mohammad Salah before Zinedine Zidane’s men further capitalised on their heroics to clinch a 3-1 win.
Anfield has always proved to be a fortress for Jurgen Klopp and Co. in recent years, especially when the stage is set for European nights, but this season has witnessed a major slump in form for the Merseysiders when turning out on their own patch.
Last weekend’s victory over Aston Villa in top-flight action ended a horrid six-game-long losing run at Anfield for the Merseysiders and as attention is shifted towards Champions League action, an injury-depleted Real Madrid’s visit sets the tone for what promises to be a high-octane fixture.
Klopp’s men have seemingly got back to their best following their mid-season crisis earlier this year but despite the recent run of results, last week’s defeat in Madrid showed signs of Liverpool FC crumbling under pressure when coming up against a formidable opposition.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, made major news over the past weekend as the Spanish giants kept the momentum going with a crucial win over arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the high-billed El Classico but suffered a blow on the injury front with makeshift full-back Lucas Vázquez being withdrawn off due to a knee issue.
The Spanish international has been sidelined for the forthcoming game at Anfield further adding to a long list of injuries for Zidane’s side as Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and Raphaël Varane remain on the recovery table.
Jurgen Klopp has had his fair share of injury concerns as well over the course of this campaign but with his side slowly emulating their brand of attacking football, the Liverpool FC gaffer would be counting on his players to turn up at their very best and secure the result in their favour to book their spot in the Champions League semi-finals.
WHEN & WHERE
Up next, we welcome @realmadrid to Anfield ⚽️
A big second leg performance needed ✊🔴 pic.twitter.com/0omziu1iZW
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 12, 2021
Date: Wednesday 14 April
Time: 9 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
No fresh injury concerns were in store for the champions of England following the win over Dean Smith’s Aston Villa on Saturday.
Skipper Jordan Henderson continues to be on the sidelines with a groin injury as doubts linger over the 30-year-old being fit in time for this summer’s UEFA Euros.
Jurgen Klopp is expected to tinker around with his frontline options for the midweek game against Real Madrid after Sadio Mane had been benched for the Villa clash owing to the former Southampton man struggling for goals.
Thiago Alcantara is also right in the mix to earn a recall back into the XI after sitting out the last couple of games.
KEY BATTLE
Diogo Jota vs Karim Benzema
Jota has been pivotal towards Liverpool FC’s recent upsurge in form and the Portugal star forward would be keen on adding to his goal tally after a relatively quiet set of displays over the past week.
For Real Madrid it would be their ever-present talisman Karim Benzema who would hope to maintain his fine run of form in front of the goal coming up against an inexperienced Reds backline at Anfield.
Benzema had scored an absolute wonder of a goal last time around in the El Classico clash and the Frenchman remains key to Madrid’s chances of booking their semi-final berth.
MATCH PREDICTION
Few would count out Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC outfit from staging an epic comeback at a venue that has witnessed many such happenings but Real Madrid’s form heading into Wednesday’s contest suggests that the Los Blancos have it in themselves to withhold the pressure from the Merseyside Reds.
We predict Liverpool to win the second leg fixture 2-1, but eventually, Real Madrid to progress to the last four of the Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline in their favour.
