Wednesday night brings one of the most glamorous ties in European football when Liverpool entertain Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League.
The reds and whites have met in big games in recent years, with the Spanish giants winning two finals in the modern era. However, Arne Slot’s side have the chance to further cement their position as one of the continent’s best sides when an injury-riddled Madrid visit Merseyside.
Here are the top battles that could decide which way the game moves on Wednesday evening.
Who doesn’t love it when the best of the best go head to head Champions League?
Virgil van Dijk has been back to his best in 2024/25 so far, but coming up against Kylian Mbappe, whether fit or not, is probably the biggest test of today’s game.
Injury to Vinicius Junior it means that Mbappe will attack as he wants. That freedom usually works to the French captain’s advantage, so his Dutch opponent will need to be on top of their game to keep him quiet.
Liverpool probably wouldn’t have moved for Ryan Gravenberch if they had managed to convince Jude Bellingham to switch to Anfield.
The two have met three times in the past, with Gravenberch winning each of them against Borussia Dortmund: two for Ajax and one for Bayern Munich.
The Dutch midfielder has fitted in perfectly during the first few months of Arne Slot’s tenure and their head-to-head duels with Bellingham, who are returning to their best, should bring out the best in both players.
There will be plenty of South American hostility if Luis Diaz is tasked with beating Federico Valverde on the wing.
The Uruguayan has had to deputize with Dani Carvajal injured and Lucas Vázquez struggling for fitness, but if there’s one versatile player who can step into the void and thrive, it’s the energetic Valverde.
DÃaz will not take a step back and has shown his scoring streak with nine goals already this season.
Mohamed Salah caused quite a storm when he came out of St Mary’s and put Liverpool under pressure. to give him a new contract. The Egyptian continues to perform at the highest level and any team in the world would be better off with him, included Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old has a bitter past with the Spanish titans. His 2018 final was blighted by a dislocated shoulder after colliding with Sergio Ramos, and although he would make amends a year later by helping Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur, there is still a sense of unfinished business for Salah.
Antonio Rudiger won’t let him run the show without a piece, mind you. The German centre-back is equally feisty compared to Ramos and will do whatever it takes to gain a competitive edge over Salah.
