Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: How Reds Should Line Up in Champions League Clash
After stealing all three points at the death at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, Liverpool will hope fortune is on their side again this Wednesday, when they welcome Real Madrid to Anfield for a Champions League group-stage clash.
Liverpool’s recent stuttering form marks a significant contrast to Real Madrid, who have Cristiano Ronaldo in scintillating form this season, as he has scored a whopping 15 in just seven La Liga games this season. Two of those came in a 5-0 rout of Levante this weekend. Compare that with the Reds’ overall tally of 13 in eight as a team.
With an all-star attack coming up against their leaky defence, Liverpool will be hoping they find some much-needed clinicalness upfront, especially with the recent news that Daniel Sturridge has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury, as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo (via Tom Sheen of The Independent).
Here’s how Liverpool could line up on Wednesday, in a 4-4-2 diamond formation.
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
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After a slow start to the season, which came with strong criticism over his form and even his future at Anfield, Simon Mignolet bounced back with a man-of-the-match performance on Sunday, pulling off a string of important saves in an otherwise lethargic Liverpool performance.
Right-Back: Javi Manquillo
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Glen Johnson’s return to the starting XI against QPR will have provided Rodgers with more options in the back four, but Javi Manquillo’s solid displays so far this season should see him reassume his role as starting right-back against the European champions.
Left-Back: Alberto Moreno
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Having been left out of both the Spain U21 team last week and his club team on Sunday, Alberto Moreno should go back into the side against Real Madrid, especially with Jose Enrique’s unconvincing defensive performance at left-back against QPR.
Centre-Back: Martin Skrtel
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The battle between own-goal-prone defenders on Sunday was won in the end by Richard Dunne, who opened the scoring for Liverpool through his 10th career Premier League own goal. But Martin Skrtel will face far more established opposition on Wednesday.
Centre-Back: Dejan Lovren
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After being heralded as the leader that Liverpool sorely lacked in the back line following his arrival, Dejan Lovren has seen his reputation take a dramatic dive after a series of unconvincing displays. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. will be licking their lips facing a defender low on confidence, on the back of a hammering from Bobby Zamora.
Holding Midfielder: Steven Gerrard
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Steven Gerrard has enjoyed a new-found tactical freedom in a Liverpool setup that seemed to have found a permanent position for him as the deepest midfielder. After a couple of matches in which he’s played in a more attacking position, he should revert to his playmaking duties from deep against Real Madrid.
Central Midfielder: Joe Allen
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Supporting Gerrard in the holding midfield role will be Joe Allen, who made a welcome return from injury on Sunday, and whose movement, pressing, tactical intelligence and technique should provide a welcome outlet in the middle of the park.
Central Midfielder: Jordan Henderson
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Alongside Allen will be vice-captain Jordan Henderson, who will have the license to drive forward and get into the opposition box with his well-timed runs. Against Real’s world-class forward and midfield lines, Liverpool may find themselves under regular pressure, but Allen's and Henderson’s proactive pressing and movement may see the home side get on the front foot as well.
Central Attacking Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho
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For all of QPR’s own goals and Liverpool’s tenacity and mental strength to keep hitting them on the counter late into the game, it was Philippe Coutinho who changed the game by charging at defenders after coming on as a second-half substitute. Finally, it seems, Coutinho is back on form, and with Emre Can's and Allen’s return, Rodgers has a full set of midfield options at his disposal.
Striker: Mario Balotelli
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It is an indication of Mario Balotelli’s unpredictability that his performance on Sunday actually improved after missing a sitter from Alex McCarthy’s parry of Adam Lallana’s shot. Without Daniel Sturridge for another few weeks, Balotelli needs to show that he can become Liverpool’s next big striker and start putting his chances in the back of the net.
Striker: Raheem Sterling
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Given Sturridge’s absence, Fabio Borini’s inability to impress and Rickie Lambert’s lethargic start to life at his boyhood club, Rodgers’ next-best bet as a striker partner for Balotelli—perhaps even slightly ahead of Balotelli to bring out the best from the Italian’s natural instincts and tendencies—is Raheem Sterling.
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