Rüdiger shouldn’t play, question mark with Núñez. How will Liverpool and Real Madrid play?

Tonight we will have a replay of last year’s Champions League final. Liverpool and Real Madrid will face off again in the eighth round of the most prestigious competition. What line-ups will they field?

Real Madrid

There is practically only one question mark in Real Madrid’s line-up, and that is at stopper. With Ferland Mendy injured and David Alaba having to move to fullback, it would seem that the Militao-Rüdiger stopper pairing is clear.

But that is definitely not the case. The German stopper, after arriving from Chelsea in the summer, hasn’t confirmed his Premier League performances at all so far. In the autumn he was still good, but lately he is probably the weakest link in the line-up.

Thus, it is expected that Ancelotti could bet on the reliable and experienced Nacho. The winger and vice-captain has been playing quite regularly in defence since the start of Real’s big sacking around mid-January and has been putting in excellent performances. Compared to Rüdiger, he clearly has the upper hand and should thus be given priority against Liverpool as well. Carvajal will start at right-back.

The midfield is also pretty clear with Toni Kroos’ illness with Aurélien Tchouameni out. Eduardo Camavinga will start at number six, with Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos alongside him.

In attack, the clear pairing is Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior, who will be complemented from the right wing by Federico Valverde. Thanks to his great defensive work, the line-up will sometimes turn into a 4-4-2.

Real Madrid’s likely line-up:

Courtois
Carvajal – Militao – Nacho – Alaba
Modric – Camavinga – Ceballos
Valverde – Benzema – Vinicius

Substitutes: Rüdiger, Vallejo, Odriozola, Martín, Arribas, Hazard, Asensio, Rodrygo, Álvaro

Missing:: Mendy, Mariano (injury) – Kroos, Tchouaméni (illness)

Liverpool

There is also practically only one question mark on Liverpool’s side and that is whether Darwin Núñez will be 100% ready for the match. However, according to the latest reports, he should be fine.

However, Jürgen Klopp cannot count on the injured Arthur, Luis Díaz, Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara.

Alisson will surely start in goal, and the defence also has clear outlines – Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson.

The sensation of the last few games, Stefan Bajcetic, should start in the middle along with Fabinho and Keita. “He’s been our best player since he started playing with us,” said Mohamed Salah.

It is the Egyptian footballer who has a certain place on the right wing. He will work with winter signing Cody Gakpe on the spearhead, with the healed Núñez on the left wing.

Liverpool’s likely line-up:

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold – Matip – Van Dijk – Robertson
Fabinho – Bajcevic – Keita
Salah – Gakpo – Núñez

Substitutes: Kelleher, Gomez, Carvalho, Elliot, Milner, Tsimikas, Firminho, Henderson, Jota

Missing:: Arthur, Díaz, Konate, Ramsay, Thiago (injury)

Source: UEFA