Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Champions League 2020-21 Preview and Prediction

The Champions League quarter-final 2nd Leg beckons as Real Madrid take a two-goal advantage back to Anfield. Liverpool will need to be at their creative best to overcome an in-form Los Blancos on Wednesday night. 

Same time last season, Liverpool would've loved to be the hosts but this season, especially since the turn of the year, Liverpool have been miserable at their fortress.

Real Madrid will be playing the Merseyside outfit with an advantage of two goals, a 3-1 win they worked hard at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium. Vinicius Junior's brace and Marco Asensio's steal on a Trent Alexander-Arnold mistake was enough to keep Jurgen Klopp and co out of the game.

Liverpool did manage to get a goal back but it would take some performance for the Reds to beat Real Madrid, who come after an overwhelming El Clasico performance.

Liverpool will still have something to fight for as they finally earned their first win at Anfield in the English top-flight in 2021. So what do you think? Will Liverpool stun another Spanish giant with a miracle? Or Will Real Madrid become a reason for Barcelona's miseries again?

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Head to Head

For a detailed analysis of how the recent games between the two have fared, click here. Which team has more wins? Which team is more dominant at home? How much does Liverpool have to fight for? Click on the link and you'll know.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Recent Form

Battling for the 20th European title between them, it was Vinicius Junior who was the star for Real Madrid when they last met Liverpool.  However, the team had a bigger task at hand, with Barcelona visiting to play a potential La Liga final. 

Yet again, Madrid proved themselves as they beat Barcelona 2-1 in a tight affair, where goals from Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema were more than enough to see the game out. The Los Blancos had multiple chances to score, but they were fortunate enough to end the game with all three points. 

 Every goal they concede would kill their chances to make it to the Champions League semi-final, with Chelsea being their potential opposition.

However, keeping Madrid away won't be easy. The odds may not be in their favor but the Reds are capable enough to produce a performance that would again meet the history books. 

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Key Facts

• Liverpool have just two losses in 21 games at Anfield in the Champions League but what they need here is not just a win but a comfortable victory with an advantage of two.
• Real Madrid are on a 13-game unbeaten run and they have lost the tie only once out of their 15 second-leg games in the Champions League when they have had a triumph in the first leg with a margin of two goals or more.
• Liverpool have three wins, two draws, and a loss in their last six UCL games, while Real Madrid have five wins and just one loss.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Team News 

Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk, and Joel Matip are still out of contention. Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak will keep their places, while changes in only midfield are anticipated.

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Diogo Jota are all expected to start for Liverpool upfront.

For Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, and Raphael Varane are ruled out for the second leg as well. 

Sadly, the El Clasico led to another key player for the Los Blancos getting ruled out, Lucas Vasquez who was vital in Madrid's win in the first leg.

Eden Hazard is still out, while we may see a lot of Federico Valverde in this high-tempo meeting.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Odriozola, Nacho, Militao, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Prediction

If Liverpool score early, we are up for some drama. A lead in the first half would be one of the main things Klopp would hope for. Liverpool on their day can be one of the most devastating sides in the world.

Real Madrid will have to make sure that they start well right from the first whistle. However, even if they concede first, they have another cushion but the main aim for Zinedine Zidane's men should be to win the game, or at least find the net once to make things difficult for the Reds.

Sportco predicts Real Madrid to overcome Liverpool in the second leg and progress to the Champions League semi-finals.