Wednesday evening 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 enormous matches lately, with the Spanish giants popping out on high in two finals within the trendy period. Nevertheless, Arne Slot’s group have the prospect to additional cement their standing as top-of-the-line groups on the continent when an injury-riddled Madrid go to Merseyside.
Listed here are the principle battles which may determine which approach the sport swings on Wednesday night.
Who would not adore it when the easiest of one of the best go head-to-head within the Champions League?
Virgil van Dijk has been again at his finest in 2024/25 to this point however squaring off in opposition to Kylian Mbappe, whether or not in or off form, might be the largest check within the recreation at present.
Vinicius Junior’s damage means Mbappe will assault whichever approach he desires. That freedom often works to the France captain’s benefit, so his Dutch opponent must be on the highest of his recreation to maintain him quiet.
Liverpool in all probability would not have moved for Ryan Gravenberch had they managed to persuade Jude Bellingham to make the swap to Anfield.
The 2 have performed one another 3 times prior to now, with Gravenberch profitable every of them in opposition to 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 finest, ought to convey 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 brought on fairly a storm when he walked out of St Mary’s and put the stress squarely on Liverpool to present him a brand new contract. The Egyptian continues to be performing on the very highest degree and any group on the planet can be higher with him in it, together with Actual Madrid.
The 32-year-old has a bitter previous with the Spanish titans. His 2018 ultimate was ruined by a dislocated shoulder sustained after he collided with Sergio Ramos and, whereas he would proper that improper a yr 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 all the things doable to achieve a aggressive benefit on Salah.
