Real Madrid arrive at Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool in high spirits after victory over Barcelona in La Liga last weekend.
Los Blancos are now just one point adrift of Atletico Madrid in the title race while they boast a 3-1 advantage over Liverpool after a dominant performance in the first leg in Valdebebas.
Vinicius Jr capitalised on some exquisite midfield play by Toni Kroos to pick holes in Liverpool’s injury-stricken defence. However, Madrid are suffering from injury problems of their own, too, with Lucas Vasquez the latest player added to a busy treatment table.
If recent history tells us anything, Liverpool should be written off at one’s own peril. And despite their volatile form this season, their has been a recent uplift in their momentum with Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring a brilliant last-gasp winner against Aston Villa in a 2-1 victory last time out.
Liverpool remain severely depleted at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all long-term absentees. That means Ozan Kabak is likely to start alongside Nat Phillips. Curtis Jones is a doubt after missing Liverpool’s victory against Villa due to a muscle issue.
Madrid are also short of defensive options, with Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal all ruled out. To add to their woes, makeshift right-back Lucas Vazquez suffered an injury during Madrid’s victory in the Clasico, while Federico Valverde and Eden Hazard are both expected to miss out, too.
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