4 key battles that might resolve Liverpool vs Actual Madrid
Wednesday night time brings one of the vital glamorous ties in European soccer when Liverpool entertain Actual Madrid at Anfield within the Champions League.
The Reds and Los Blancos have squared off in some big matches in recent times, with the Spanish giants popping out on high in two finals within the trendy period. Nonetheless, Arne Slot’s crew have the possibility to additional cement their standing as among the best groups on the continent when an injury-riddled Madrid go to Merseyside.
Listed here are the primary battles which may resolve which means the sport swings on Wednesday night.
Who would not find it irresistible when the perfect of one of the best go head-to-head within the Champions League?
Virgil van Dijk has been again at his greatest in 2024/25 to date however squaring off towards Kylian Mbappe, whether or not in or out of shape, might be the largest check within the recreation right this moment.
Vinicius Junior’s harm means Mbappe will assault whichever means he needs. That freedom normally works to the France captain’s benefit, so his Dutch opponent must be on the highest of his recreation to maintain him quiet.
Liverpool most likely would not have moved for Ryan Gravenberch had they managed to persuade Jude Bellingham to make the change to Anfield.
The 2 have performed one another 3 times up to now, with Gravenberch successful every of them towards Borussia Dortmund – two for Ajax and one for Bayern Munich.
The Dutch midfielder has fitted in snugly in the course of the early months of Arne Slot’s tenure and his direct duels with Bellingham, who’s getting again to his supreme greatest, ought to carry one of the best out of each gamers.
There will be loads of South American hostility if Luis Diaz is tasked with beating Federico Valverde on the wing.
The Uruguayan has needed to fill in with Dani Carvajal injured and Lucas Vazquez struggling for health, but when there is a versatile participant who can step into the void and thrive, it is the energetic Valverde.
Diaz will not take a backwards step and has proven his goalscoring streak with 9 strikes already this time period.
Mohamed Salah prompted fairly a storm when he walked out of St Mary’s and put the strain squarely on Liverpool to offer him a brand new contract. The Egyptian remains to be performing on the very highest degree and any crew on the planet could be higher with him in it, together with Actual Madrid.
The 32-year-old has a bitter previous with the Spanish titans. His 2018 closing was ruined by a dislocated shoulder sustained after he collided with Sergio Ramos and, whereas he would proper that unsuitable a 12 months later by serving to Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur, there’s nonetheless a way of unfinished enterprise for Salah.
Antonio Rudiger will not let him run the present with no scrap, thoughts. The German centre-back is equally feisty in comparison with Ramos and can do every thing potential to realize a aggressive benefit on Salah.
