Underneath the lights of Anfield, the anticipation is electrical. Liverpool and Actual Madrid — two of Europe’s grandest golf equipment — are set to satisfy as soon as once more, renewing a rivalry that has written a few of the Champions League’s most unforgettable chapters. However amid the tactical battles and historic weight, one query dominates each headline: Will Mohamed Salah face Kylian Mbappe?
Their names alone spark pleasure. Salah, Liverpool’s talisman who just lately reached his 250th aim for the membership, stays the image of defiance on Merseyside. Mbappe, in the meantime, continues his mesmerizing begin in Madrid — 18 objectives in 14 begins — proving why Actual Madrid made him their newest galactico. Each icons, nonetheless, enter this match surrounded by intrigue, health questions, and expectation.
Anfield has seen its share of legends and heartbreak, however Tuesday’s encounter feels totally different. It’s not merely about revenge or redemption — it’s about resurrection. Arne Slot’s gamers are determined to revive their European aura after six defeats of their final eight matches. On the similar time, Xabi Alonso’s Madrid — led by the identical man as soon as adored in a crimson shirt — arrives with the calm confidence of a staff that has forgotten the right way to lose.
Liverpool’s fragile revival below strain
Liverpool’s European type stays inconsistent — emphatic in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt (5-1), but humbled in Istanbul by Galatasaray. The Reds at the moment sit tenth within the Champions League league-phase desk, narrowly outdoors the automated last-16 spots on aim distinction.
Their lineup will once more be patched collectively. Alisson Becker, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni stay sidelined, leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili in aim and the protection anchored by Virgil van Dijk. Slot is predicted to retain Andy Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister, who impressed final weekend. Salah leads the road, supported by Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Hugo Ekitike, who has quietly earned the supervisor’s belief.
Madrid’s ruthless momentum
Throughout the technical space stands a person Liverpool supporters nonetheless sing about: Xabi Alonso. As soon as the heartbeat of their midfield, he now instructions Los Blancos with a surgeon’s precision. Since changing Carlo Ancelotti, Alonso has guided Los Blancos to 13 wins in 14 matches — their solely blemish, a wild 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Whites have dominated each entrance, sitting 5 factors clear in La Liga after a 4-0 thrashing of Valencia and ideal in Europe following wins over Marseille, Kairat, and Juventus. Their assault is a constellation of stars: Vinicius Junior’s tempo, Jude Bellingham’s brilliance, and, in fact, Kylian Mbappe’s inevitability.
However maybe the night time’s most emotional subplot belongs to Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his return to Anfield — not in crimson, however in white. As soon as Liverpool’s native hero, now Madrid’s newest right-back, his comeback carries the stress of a prodigal son’s uneasy homecoming. Nonetheless, with Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba all sidelined, Alonso could have to gamble on Alexander-Arnold’s health, or once more belief Federico Valverde in protection.
Liverpool vs. Actual Madrid: Projected lineups
Liverpool projected XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Actual Madrid projected XI (4-3-3):Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius.
