Liverpool will bid to stay at the top of the Champions League table when they entertain Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
The Reds continue to impress under Arne Slot, picking up another win at the weekend to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points. The latest task for the Dutchman is to break a winless streak against the reigning European champions which dates back to 2009.
Liverpool have suffered some cruel defeats to Madrid in recent years and have a few injury concerns in the build-up to this midweek clash.
Here's the starting XI Slot may decide on for Wednesday's huge battle at Anfield.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher - An Alisson blunder played its part in a 5-2 win for Madrid they last time they visited Merseyside and understudy Kelleher will be keen to avoid giving away an unnecessary goals.
RB: Conor Bradley - Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn't played since the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa earlier in November. He is back in training and will be part of the squad, but is confirmed as not fit enough to start against the club he remains heavily linked with.
CB: Ibrahima Konate - Delivered one of his worst performances of the campaign, looking clumsy and tired in the 3-2 win at Southampton. With France teammate Kylian Mbappe on the prowl, Konate can't afford to be so error-strewn again.
CB: Virgil van Dijk - Is one of a number of Liverpool players who has lost two Champions League finals to Madrid and will be desperate to earn a positive result against them, having been defeated in the four matches he has played against the Spanish giants in the past.
LB: Andy Robertson - The left-back role has been shared by Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas this season, but the Greece international has sustained a foot injury in training, leaving the Scot to retain his place.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch - Liverpool ended up with Gravenberch in 2023 when they had previously been on Jude Bellingham's trail. It was Gravenberch who triumphed when they met on the pitch for the first time as Ajax smashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in 2021.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister - The Argentinian World Cup winner's only Champions League goal and sole strike this season remains his effort against Bologna. Should come back into the starting XI after a substitute appearance on Sunday.
RW: Mohamed Salah - Has been in the headlines for his comments after beating Southampton almost single-handedly. Surely another brace here will see the FSG chiefs hand him a new contract on the Anfield turf?
AM: Curtis Jones - It might be harsh on recent goalscorer Dominik Szoboszlai, but Jones' persistence out of possession and form over the past month may help him edge out the Hungarian in the starting XI.
LW: Luis Diaz - The Colombian's last goals came in the Champions League as he grabbed a hat-trick in the 4-0 thumping of Bayer Leverkusen. He could replace Cody Gakpo here.
ST: Darwin Nunez - Madrid are pretty short of centre-backs, so the chaotic Nunez should enjoy a fun evening, especially if he comes up against the similarly unhinged Antonio Rudiger.
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