Liverpool vs. Real Madrid lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news and injuries: Vini Jr out, Trent doubtful for hosts

Anfield prepares itself for a huge UEFA Champions League showdown on November 27 as Liverpool host Real Madrid.

The two clubs have built up a major rivalry in recent seasons, with Los Blancos winning seven and drawing one of their last eight meetings with the Premier League side including victory over Jurgen Klopp in the 2018 and 2022 finals.

However, the Arne Slot era has breathed fresh air into Liverpool, and they face Carlo Ancelotti’s visitors as EPL leaders and with maximum points from their four Champions League games so far this season.

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Real Madrid closed the La Liga title gap to four points with victory over Leganes over the weekend as they aim to chase down Barcelona.

However, Ancelotti’s defending European champions have endured a mixed start to the new league phase of the 2024/25 tournament with two wins and two defeats so far.

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

The major fitness focus for Liverpool is on defender Trent Alexander-Arnold with Slot hinting this game may come too soon for the England international.

In a twist of irony, Alexander-Arnold could miss out against the team rumoured to be chasing him as part of a 2025 free transfer, with Slot preferring to keep him for Liverpool’s weekend league clash with Manchester City.

Conor Bradley will continue in Alexander-Arnold’s place at right-back, with Caoimhin Kelleher covering for injured No.1 Alisson Becker, and Alexis Mac Alister is set to start after coming off the bench in the 3-2 win over Southampton.

Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa remain sidelined with Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas rated as doubtful.

Liverpool (4-3-3, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones — Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

Injuries: Alisson, Jota, Chiesa, Alexander-Arnold (doubtful), Tsimikas (doubtful).

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Liverpool’s injury issues pale in comparison to the list of absentees for Real Madrid with Brazilian talisman Vinicius Junior ruled out.

Ancelotti confirmed the shock update ahead of the flight to Liverpool with the 24-year-old suffering a hamstring injury against Leganes.

Fellow Brazilian Rodrygo Goes has not recovered from a muscle injury in time with Aurelien Tchouameni still sidelined with a sprained ankle.

Veteran Lucas Vazquez has passed a late fitness test, and should return at right-back, with Fede Valverde pushing into midfield.

Brahim Diaz is tipped to replace Vinicius Jr, in a reshaped Real Madrid attack, which could include a start for captain Luka Modric to add stability to the engine room, and a Champions League debut for Raul Asencio at center-back.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy — Modric, Camavinga — Valverde, Bellingham, Diaz — Mbappe.

Injuries: Alaba, Carvajal, Militao, Vinicius Jr, Tchouameni, Rodrygo, Ramon.

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this Champions League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: