Liverpool sealed a return to winning ways by overcoming Aston Villa last weekend, which ended a run of four consecutive top flight defeats, and they will be looking to build on their return to form when they go head-to-head with Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Reds have been victorious in two of their first three European fixtures this term, thanks to seeing off Atletico Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt despite being beaten by Galatasaray, and boss Arne Slot will be aiming for his side to boost their chances of booking their place in the knockout phase.
Real Madrid - under the stewardship of former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - will head to Merseyside with a 100 per cent winning record after triumphing against Marseille, Kairat Almaty and Juventus. GIVEMESPORT has predicted how both sides will line-up when they lock horns.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool's Alexander Isak
Liverpool will be without club-record signing Alexander Isak for the visit of Real Madrid as, having already missed the clashes with Brentford, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, he is still nursing a groin problem. Jeremie Frimpong is also sidelined with a hamstring injury and will not be involved.
Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue deputising between the sticks as Alisson Becker is continuing his recovery, while summer arrival Giovanni Leoni is out for the foreseeable future after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Central midfielder Curtis Jones is a doubt.
Slot Drops Team News Update
Arne Slot-1
Slot, speaking in his pre-match press conference, has confirmed that Alisson, Frimpong and Isak will not be named in the matchday squad for the meeting with Real Madrid. The Dutch tactician said:
"All three are not available. Jeremie and Alisson will both not be available for Sunday [at Manchester City]. Isak, we have to wait and see. He definitely is not starting, maybe he can be in the squad but he is still not training so we wait and see."
Liverpool Predicted XI
Ryan Gravenberch in action for Liverpool
Liverpool Predicted Starting XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Liverpool Predicted Substitutes: Woodman (GK), Misciur (GK), Gomez (DEF), Kerkez (DEF), Endo (MID), Wirtz (MID), Nyoni (MID), Chiesa (FWD), Ngumoha (FWD), Danns (FWD).
Real Madrid Team News
Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Real Madrid
The big Real Madrid team news is that Trent Alexander-Arnold is on course to make his first appearance against Liverpool since walking away from Anfield during the summer. Fellow right-back Dani Carvajal is unavailable after suffering a long-term knee issue, making it more likely for the England international to be given the nod to start for the visitors.
Former Chelsea central defender Antonio Rudiger is still on the sidelines with a hamstring injury sustained in September and is not expected to return to contention until next month. David Alaba is battling to prove his fitness before the matchday squad is named, while Franco Mastantuono is also recovering from a problem.
Alonso Drops Team News Update
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts
Alonso, speaking in his pre-match press conference, confirmed that Alexander-Arnold is available and is likely to be involved from the start against former side Liverpool. The Spanish tactician said:
"He's fine. He's available and, the other day, he didn't play because of the context of the game. He can play and after his injury, we need him because he has great quality. It's a new stage for him both on a sporting and personal level, and we have to help him and give him what he needs to perform because he's an exceptional footballer that we have in this squad. He has to enjoy this game in his own way."
Real Madrid Predicted XI
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid Predicted Starting XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe.
Real Madrid Predicted Substitutes: Lunin (GK), Asencio (DEF), F. Garcia (DEF), Mendy (DEF), Alaba (DEF), Camavinga (MID), Ceballos (MID), Endrick (FWD), Rodrygo (FWD), G. Garcia (FWD), Diaz (FWD), Mastantuono (FWD).