Predicted XIs Liverpool-Real Madrid: Ancelotti, Slot improvise with full-backs

The most important Champions League match of the week pits two of Europe's most successful teams against each other as Real Madrid travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Wednesday at 9pm CEST. It will be a Real Madrid team that is hit hard by injuries.

Carlo Ancelotti is without Eder Militao, David Alaba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior for the match, although he has got Lucas Vazquez back from injury. Whether he comes back straight away or not has been the subject of discussion after Fede Valverde performed well there last weekend. Diario AS say Ancelotti will use Fede Valverde at right-back against Luis Diaz.

Marca agrees, with both believing it will be Luka Modric and Brahim Diaz who replace Vinicius and Arda Guler, while Dani Ceballos retains his place. Ancelotti also confirmed that Castilla product Raul Asencio will remain in central defence, while Kylian Mbappe is likely to start on the left of the attack, something he did for the first time against Leganes in a 3-0 win.

Liverpool have Trent Alexander-Arnold back as the team desperately tries to sign him, but manager Arne Slot made it clear he would only start from the bench. Left back Kostas Tsimikas suffered an injury and will miss the match, but all the talk is about how Los Blancos will keep up with their front three of Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah. Conor Bradley is likely to start in Alexander-Arnold's absence and will be tasked with keeping Mbappe quiet. Alisson and Diogo Jota will also be missing due to injury.