Liverpool. vs. Real Madrid: Key Issues That Will Shape Champions League Game
In the first of two exciting fixtures in the space of four days, Real Madrid travel to England to take on Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield.
Barcelona, who are due at the Bernabeu on Saturday, will have to wait.
Liverpool's famous home will represent a difficult pre-Clasico task; the last time Los Blancos played there—in the same competition in 2009—they were knocked out by Rafael Benitez's Reds.
A lot has changed since then, though, and Madrid, the reigning European champions, start the game as heavy favourites given their recent form and goalscoring exploits.
The following slides take a look at the key issues which could shape the game.
Can Liverpool Test Kroos and Modric?
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It's not set in stone that Carlo Ancelotti will start with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos as his two deepest midfielders on Wednesday night, but it is expected.
Given the nature of the game, and Madrid's need not to lose, the Italian may, however, decide to slip in the returning Sami Khedira or the younger Asier Illarramendi.
If he does go for his usual two, though, Kroos and Modric, supplemented by James Rodriguez, Liverpool will do well to test out just how good the pair are in front of their back four.
In Marti Perarnau's recent book, Pep Confidential, he talks about how Bayern boss Josep Guardiola was a fan of Kroos, but not as his deepest midfielder—the same must surely be said for former Tottenham man Modric.
Madrid have showed signs of being more balanced in midfield of late and they have certainly improved defensively since the Real Sociedad shambles, but there's a feeling Ancelotti's midfield hasn't been tested since the losses of Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso.
Brendan Rodgers certainly has the players to worry the Spanish giants in that area.
Raheem Sterling, in particular, is capable of doing all sorts of damage if he can find space between the midfield and the defence, while Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho are among the others who could cause Madrid problems.
In front of a home crowd who will be up for the game, this could be Madrid's chance to prove they have more to their game than just outrageous power in the final third.
Liverpool's Defence
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Liverpool got away with some lacklustre defending last season because of the sheer talent and goal contributions of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge at the other end.
With Suarez gone and Sturridge injured, though, they've looked even more vulnerable this term.
Against QPR on Sunday they conceded two, but it could have been three, four or even five and in the end they were extremely lucky to walk away with the three points.
They certainly won't be able to defend like that against Real Madrid.
Ronaldo's Champions League Record
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A song and dance has been made about Lionel Messi staying on the pitch during Barcelona's win against Eibar at the weekend, as reported by Catalan newspaper Sport.
The reason he stayed on, it's been suggested, is that he was desperate to take his place atop the all-time La Liga goalscoring charts—Telmo Zarra has 251, Messi is currently saddled on a total of 250.
In the Champions League, it's Cristiano Ronaldo who is on the brink of breaking the all-time scoring record.
He's managed 69 so far, not including qualifiers, and he is now just two behind former Madrid legend Raul's haul of 71.
Ronaldo is already known as a player with a huge thirst for scoring goals—expect that to double on a European night against his former club Manchester United's archrivals with a record up for grabs.
How Famous Are Anfield European Nights?
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Alvaro Arbeloa told The Guardian's Sid Lowe just how special a Champions League night is at Anfield in front of over 40,000 Liverpool fans.
He had to tell his teammates, too:
"I’ve told everyone this is an opportunity they shouldn’t miss. They’re used to a stadium that holds 80,000, sure, but Anfield is la bomba, unique.
It’s only 45,000 and they say: ‘Well … ’ and I say: ‘Well?’ Those 45,000 make the atmosphere very, very special. I’ve told them to enjoy it.
I can imagine what Anfield will be like, how they’ll sing You’ll Never Walk Alone and cheer every corner or throw-in close to our area as if it’ll end in a goal – and I know it’ll feel like that to us.
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The atmosphere is bound to favour the hosts; we've already seen in recent seasons just how difficult it can be for some of Spain's biggest teams to go and play in stadiums where the opposition are treating the occasion as a cup final.
Barcelona have come unstuck at Celtic and Ajax in recent seasons, while Real Madrid toiled at Ludogorets last time out and Atletico Madrid were toppled by Olympiakos.
Balotelli, Lambert or No Striker?
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Mario Balotelli, Liverpool's summer signing from AC Milan, has come under some intense criticism for his performance against QPR on Sunday.
It was not just his missed chances, but his whole demeanour—but can Brendan Rodgers replace him?
Rickie Lambert, with Daniel Sturridge still sidelined, is one option, but the former Southampton striker, despite his impressive rise from factory worker to England international, would represent a risk at this level.
Fabio Borini would be another second-rate option.
On Sky Sports on Monday night, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher even suggested Liverpool should play without a striker.
Rodgers needs to decide which option represents the best chance of undoing Carlo Ancelotti's side because after defeat against Basel in Switzerland, another loss could prove detrimental ahead of a trip to the Bernabeu next time.
Meanwhile, Basel will be partaking in a double header with Ludogorets.
