Two of the great names in the history of European football meet on Wednesday as Real Madrid travels to Anfield to face Liverpool. It's the first time these two teams have met in a competition since the 2008/09 season when Liverpool hammered Madrid 5-0 in the UCL Round of 16.
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Los Blancos come to Anfield for a meeting between two of the biggest names in European football.
Then Liverpool were one of Europe’s dominant powers, but now it’s Madrid who are the defending champions and one of the favorites to win this year’s tournament. Los Blancos won their tenth European Cup last season, while Liverpool are back in Europe’s biggest club competition for the first time since 2009/10.
Real Madrid sit atop Group B with six points while Liverpool are third with three. Another win for Madrid would put them in the driver’s seat for qualification, while the Reds could use three points to propel them up the group standings.
Key Player: James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
With Gareth Bale sidelined for a couple weeks, James Rodriguez will get a chance to shine in the attack as he will likely fill for the Welshman in the Madrid attacking midfield. James has been used in a couple spots on the pitch by Carlo Ancelotti this season, but has seemed happy to do his job no matter where deployed.
Key Matchup: Liverpool's rickety defense vs. Madrid's lethal attack
Liverpool’s defense is a mess. Despite big spending during the summer by Brendan Rogers to add some depth on the back line, it has not translated to improved performance. The Reds have been involved in some wide open matches this season and if there going to have a chance against Madrid, they’ll likely have to find a way to outscore them. The idea of Liverpool defense slowing down Ronaldo, Benzema and James just seems laughable.
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Joe Flanagan (knee), Daniel Sturridge (thigh). In Doubt: Mamadou Sakho (thigh).
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out Gareth Bale (muscle), Fábio Coentrão (knee), Jesé (knee), Sergio Ramos (calf)
Daniel Sturridge and Joe Flanagan remain sidelined for Liverpool, while Mamadou Sahko is day-to-day with a hamstring injury. Gareth Bale will miss the match for Real Madrid with a muscle tear, while defender Sergio Ramos appears set to lose his fitness race due to calf injury. Jesé and Coentrão are both out with knee injuries.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
TV: FOX Sports 1, DirecTV, FOX Soccer Plus (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.), C+ Liga de Campeones/HD (Spain)
Online: FOX Soccer 2Go, ESPN3 (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.)
