Slot drop the 25-year-old in two key changes – Predicted Liverpool XI v Real Madrid

Liverpool face the mighty Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night at Anfield.

The Reds will go top of the table if they win against Carlo Ancelotti’s side tonight.

Liverpool have won all four of their games so far and it will be a massive statement if they can beat Madrid, who are missing a host of key players for this game.

The Reds are on a roll at the moment, having picked up 16 wins and a draw in the 18 games they played in all competitions.

Arne Slot’s side head into this match on the back of a 3-2 win against Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah scored twice against Saints, but his post-match comments shocked even his own teammates.

Here is Liverpool’s predicted XI.

Goalkeeper

Slot confirmed that Alisson is still not ready to start a game, meaning Caoimhin Kelleher is set to continue in goal.

Defense

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate were below par against Southampton. However, this is a massive game and they cannot afford to make individual mistakes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the squad after a hamstring injury, but Slot has suggested that the right-back could get some minutes off the bench if necessary. Conor Bradley will keep his place in the side.

Andy Robertson is set to continue at left-back, with Kostas Tsimikas is ruled out with a minor injury.

Midfield

Ryan Gravenberch is undrafted at the moment and will look to impress again.

Alexis MacAllister was used from the bench against Southampton and the Argentine should be ready to start against Madrid on Wednesday.

Slot will likely rotate between Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones this season.

Szoboszlai scored against Southampton and should be full of confidence, but Jones should get the nod as Liverpool need to control possession against big teams.

Forward

Luis Diaz looked lively against Saints after coming on as a substitute. He could start in place of Cody Gakpo. The 25-year-old striker looked rather flat against Saints and could be dropped for this game.

Diogo Jota is still not fully fit, which means Darwin Nunez is ready to start one again. Salah should keep his place despite his bizarre outburst.

Expected Liverpool starting XI v Real Madrid: Kelleher; Van Dijk, Konate, Bradley, Robertson; Gravenberch, MacAllister, Jones; Diaz, Nunez, Salah.