Liverpool are set to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash on Wednesday, March 15. Last Word on Sports tries to put together a Liverpool Predicted Lineup as the Reds aim to pull off an incredible turnaround after their 5-2 drubbing in the first leg.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Real Madrid
Setting off for Madrid ✈️ pic.twitter.com/mOSYXCxVbi
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 14, 2023
How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently
Amid some injury issues for his side this season, Jurgen Klopp has had to be picky with rotating his side to avoid further issues.
With that being said, the German coach appears to have found a settled back-five after Ibrahima Konate’s return. Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson are all unmovable for such major games – because they form the core of Liverpool’s best defensive line. The manager also appears to have a well-functioning front-three, with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez operating well in the frontline.
Read More: Jude Bellingham Remains Top Priority for Liverpool
In midfield, however, Klopp is yet to find his best possible combination. Stefan Bajcetic has been an impressive breakout star, but he’s suffered an unfortunate knock. Because of certain issues, midfielder Naby Keita – who was labelled as a ‘world class’ player by Van Dijk a few years ago – could get to make his return to the first team in this one. James Milner is a viable option to bring more experience and composure to the midfield due to current circumstances. Fabinho has predominantly played as the defensive midfielder and should retain his role against Madrid.
Liverpool Recent Form and Tactics
The Reds have been in relatively topsy-turvy form over the last month or so. They’ve only won two out of their last five games across all competitions. However, since the poor loss to Real Madrid, they’ve only conceded one goal in their last four matches!
That is an indication of how they’ve steadied up their defensive front since the embarrassing thrashing at Anfield last month. The backline is now much sturdier, with Van Dijk and Konate putting in a lot of work to stop fast-paced attacking moves.
With that being said, Liverpool will not be bothered about their defending at the Santiago Bernabeu. They need a big win to pull off an amazing comeback and are gunning for goals from the get-go. Klopp is likely to trust his 4-3-3 system that has given him so much success at Anfield.
He’ll go with a more attack-minded approach and urge his players to go all out with their ‘heavy metal’, high press attacking style. That could see both full backs play further forward than usual to almost act as auxiliary wingers – trying to get in the final third as much as possible and swinging in pinpoint crosses.
Read More: Liverpool Have No Plans of Selling Thiago Alcantara to Fenerbahce
Even Fabinho will probably be asked to not just shield his defenders, but also try to steal the ball off the Real Madrid players and play progressive passes forward. Milner doesn’t really have the most energetic presence anymore, but he’ll be tasked to win back the ball and get into advanced areas to set up chances too. Keita should also be given license to make smart forward runs into the box and add more goal-scoring threat to his side.
For Liverpool to win the match, however, they’ll need their forwards to be at their very best. Their attackers have to produce their best performances of the season. It’s well-known how majestic Salah is in gliding past players, but he needs to be really clinical and put all his chances away – as he can’t repeat a blunder that he made with the missed penalty against Bournemouth.
Gakpo and Nunez will probably be aiming to cause chaos with their off-the-ball runs to create spaces for their Egyptian colleague, but they’ll also need to take their chances when they get them. For the away side to win this, they’ll need to be perfect. That involves stopping any of the blistering attacking transitions Madrid throws at them and being as ruthless in finishing chances as they were against United, slotting away whatever they get to pull off a special story at the Bernabeu.
Liverpool Injuries to Consider
Jordan Henderson and Bajcetic have both been ruled out of this game. Thiago Alcantara and Luis Diaz are long-term absences, while summer loan signing Arthur Melo is ineligible.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Stefan Bajcetic, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez
