A blockbuster quarter-final show is up for watch come Tuesday night in Madrid as Jurgen Klopp’s resurgent Liverpool FC outfit square up against Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid.
The Reds have displayed a tremendous streak of good results in recent times and the weekend win at the Emirates Stadium over a toothless Arsenal was a third win on the trot for the Merseysiders.
Diogo Jota’s return to the Anfield fold means that Klopp has his attacking superstar to call upon in times of distress which have prevailed upon the club this season and the recent win gives Liverpool FC ample firepower in their quest to clinch a top-four berth in Premier League football.
However, the Champions League remains the sole competition Klopp’s men can harbour hopes of getting their hands on in what remains of the 2020-21 campaign and a confident showing against their upcoming opponents would set the tone for the return leg which is due next week at Anfield.
The hosts would come into the midweek tie with four wins out of their last four outings with Zidane’s side recording a brilliant brand of attacking football led by the ever-present Frenchman Karim Benzema.
Benzema’s superb tally in front of the goal makes him a major threat for an inexperienced Liverpool FC backline that misses the colossal figures of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez despite the new pairing of Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak exceeding expectations on the back of recent performances.
Klopp would be aware of the potency of Madrid going forward and on their own patch at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the La Liga giants are considered ever the favourites to seal the victory.
The upsurge in form before and after the international break provides concrete evidence of Jurgen Klopp’s side returning to their very best but should they hope of clinching European glory this time around, the first-leg tie away from home could prove to be as stern a test that could come the way of the Merseysiders.
WHEN & WHERE?
Next up, @ChampionsLeague in Madrid ✨#LFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/Hipc4KiBiq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 4, 2021
Date: Tuesday 6 April
Time: 8 PM GMT
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Roberto Firmino returned to the starting XI for the Reds last time around but doubts remain over the Brazil international retaining his spot following Jota’s brilliance off the bench last weekend against the Gunners.
DioGOAL Jota ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/6w7APZ1FAm
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 4, 2021
The former Wolves man made an instant impact after coming on to replace Andy Robertson in the final half-hour with a superb brace, giving Klopp much to ponder over his attacking options for the mid-week fixture in Spain.
Jordan Henderson remains a long-term absentee for Liverpool FC and the skipper’s injury layoff means the likes of Naby Keita and James Milner have been given a rare opportunity to claim a starting spot in the centre of the park for Jurgen Klopp.
KEY BATTLE
Karim Benzema vs Mohammad Salah
Both teams have their respective attacking stalwarts to rely upon as Tuesday’s encounter looms large for the European heavyweights.
The King. pic.twitter.com/35ZykPnGJh
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 4, 2021
Benzema has enjoyed a tremendous scoring run this season and with Salah leading the Premier League goalscoring charts, the upcoming last eight meeting could make for a goal-fest much to the viewers’ entertainment.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool FC’s recent form suggests that the visitors to Madrid have it in themselves to make it quite difficult for Zidane’s side who would go down as favourites ahead of the match.
We predict a 1-1 scoreline and the Reds would happily take the same with an important away goal in their kitty before playing hosts next week on Merseyside.
