Liverpool and Real Madrid lock horns in a potentially riveting Champions League fixture on Tuesday night, with the two European giants facing off in Gameweek 4 of the league phase.
Madrid, the most successful team in the competition’s history, have historically had their way with the Reds, beating them in two finals, but Liverpool enacted some revenge last season when they beat Carlo Ancelotti’s side 2–0 at Anfield.
The visitors are undoubtedly improved from 12 months ago. Led by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, they head into Tuesday’s game five points clear at the top of La Liga and without a blemish on their Champions League record.
Victories over Marseille, Kairat Almaty and Juventus leave Madrid in a strong position, and they’re three points better off than the Reds, who were beaten by Galatasaray in Gameweek 2.
Arne Slot’s side have had a nightmare few weeks, but there was a comforting sense of familiarity regarding their 2–0 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday. A victory here would indicate that the English champions have turned a corner.
Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to the clash.
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Liverpool vs. Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Liverpool Real Madrid
Liverpool 2–0 Aston Villa - 01/11/25 Real Madrid 4–0 Valencia - 01/11/25
Liverpool 0–3 Crystal Palace - 29/10/25 Real Madrid 2–1 Barcelona - 26/10/25
Brentford 3–2 Liverpool - 25/10/25 Real Madrid 1–0 Juventus - 22/10/25
Eintracht Frankfurt 1–5 Liverpool - 22/10/25 Getafe 0–1 Real Madrid - 19/10/25
Liverpool 1–2 Man Utd - 19/10/25 Real Madrid 3–1 Villarreal - 04/10/25
Country TV channel/live stream
United States Paramount+, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, Amazon Prime Video, ViX, TUDN USA, Univision
United Kingdom Amazon Prime
Canada DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Amazon Prime Video
Mexico Max Mexico, TNT Go, Amazon Prime Video, TNT Sports
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak didn’t train on Monday. / Carl Recine/Getty Images
Alexander Isak didn’t train on Monday in the build-up to Real Madrid’s visit, and the Swede is unlikely to feature. However, Curtis Jones has returned to the training field after missing out at the weekend.
Slot reverted to his title-winning midfield against Villa, and we should see the trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch start again on Tuesday night. Florian Wirtz will occupy a spot on the bench.
Andy Robertson is currently a better option for Slot at left-back, given Milos Kerkez’s struggles, and Conor Bradley will remain the starting right-back in Jeremie Frimpong’s absence.
Youngsters Jayden Danns, Giovanni Leoni and Stefan Bajčetić are on the treatment table.
Liverpool
Liverpool could be unchanged from Saturday’s win. / FotMob
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitiké.
Franco Mastantuono
Franco Mastantuono picked up an injury in Madrid’s win over Valencia. / Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Anfield comeback has the potential to a non-event, given that the former Red was once again an unused substitute at the weekend after recovering from a hamstring injury.
With Dani Carvajal out, Federico Valverde is likely to start at right back for the visitors. Alonso heaped the praise on the Uruguayan over the weekend, lauding his development as a defender.
Madrid are also without summer arrival Franco Mastantuono after he picked up an injury he Saturday’s thumping win over Valencia. Eduardo Camavinga should come in for the Argentine and partner Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield.
Vinicius Junior played 79 minutes on Saturday after his outburst in the Clasico. He’ll start down Madrid’s left and aim to take advantage of a vulnerable Liverpool backline with the in-form Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid
Alonso could name the team that beat Barcelona in El Clásico. / FotMo
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Tchouaméni; Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé.
Liverpool were as good as they’ve been all season without being spectacular against Villa. Slot must’ve been encouraged by the control his team were able to assert on the contest, with his reversion to last season’s preferred midfield paying dividends.
The Reds are flawed out of possession, and it’s hard to imagine Madrid not having success with the ball and in transition on Tuesday night. Slot may accept that keeping the visitors at arm’s length will be an impossible task, with the Dutchman potentially playing up to the Anfield atmosphere under the lights and embracing the chaos.
A special night on Merseyside could be in the offing, with the Reds, emboldened by Saturday’s win, edging a shootout.
Prediction: Liverpool 3–2 Real Madrid
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