In what is one of the games of the season in the Champions League, Liverpool face Real Madrid in the quarter-final stage of the competition. Even though the Reds haven’t been in great form in the Premier League, they have done well in the Champions League. On the other hand, Real Madrid will look to steady their ship and will look to maul the Reds like they did a few years back.
Jurgen Klopp must be thinking of changing his fortunes against the Spanish side, as he hasn’t had much luck against them. With the inclusion of Diogo Jota in the Liverpool squad, they look like an attacking threat once again. It will be interesting to see how the Reds lineup though after a good performance a couple of days ago.
Let us now have a look at how Jurgen Klopp might set his Liverpool side in the big game against Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 is arguably Jurgen Klopp’s most favoured system I his time at the helm in Liverpool, where he has achieved quite a lot. The centre-back situation is surely still an issue for Liverpool but real Madrid aren’t doing great going forward, so Klopp might just be relaxed. Fabinho and Thiago will be up against the likes of Modric and Kross, who are arguably one of the best midfield pairings in the history of the Champions League, thus need to be at their best.
Instead of Firmino, Jota will be expected to start the game against Real Madrid, especially after his heroics against Arsenal. The likes of Salah and Mane will again be bestowed with the responsibility to create chances and score goals for the Liverpool side. Young Kabak will be playing in the biggest game of his career so far and thus needs to remain concentrated as Real Madrid might look to target him.
The full-backs of Liverpool will again be under limelight, as they might play a crucial role in this fixture, if the Reds are to go through to the next round.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is another system that has produced the goods for Liverpool under Klopp, especially with Jota back to full fitness. The Portuguese has been absolutely tremendous for Liverpool since he joined the club last summer from Wolves, with a hefty price tag. He has almost always scored for the Reds when he has played for them and he seems to have a knack of scoring important goals as well.
Bobby Firmino will be expected to come back into the starting XI in such a system and play in his favourite No.10 role. Allison Becker might also be one of the differences in the game, as the last time Liverpool faced Madrid, the then goalkeeper let the Reds down bog time. It will be a huge spectacle for everyone in the football fraternity let alone Liverpool and Real Madrid fans.
