Liverpool vs Real Madrid lines-up as Florian Wirtz and Trent Alexander-Arnold decisions made
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool and Real Madrid line-ups and team news from Anfield for the massive Champions League matchFlorian Wirtz starts for Liverpool as Cody Gakpo drops to the bench against Real Madrid. Wirtz has started all three of the Reds' previous Champions League fixtures this term, against Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt.And the summer signing is handed another appearance against los Blancos, who are playing at Anfield for the second time in 12 months.Gakpo is named among the substitutes as a result as Liverpool look to move up to nine points in the revamped group phase of the European Cup this evening.READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister's dad makes Liverpool transfer admission after Real Madrid interest - 'We must'READ MORE: Fourth issue of new monthly Liverpool FC fix on sale nowAlexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will continue to patrol the midfield with Dominik Szoboszlai encouraged to press from the front as the most advanced of the midfield trio.Andy Robertson keeps his place at left-back over Milos Kerkez as Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk make up the rest of the back four.For Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold starts on the bench as Xabi Alonso names Fede Valverde at right-back in place of the former Liverpool star.Alexander-Arnold suffered a hamstring injury in September in the Champions League fixture against Marseille and is being used as a sub this evening by Alonso.
The West Derby-born defender is expected to be given a hostile reception on his return to Merseyside.Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham all start, however as the La Liga leaders look to secure a second Anfield in three years.Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike. Subs: Woodman, Misciur, Gomez, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Ngumoha.Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham; Arda Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Subs: Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Endrick, Rodrygo, Alexander-Arnold, Gonzalo, Ascencio, Ceballos, Fran Garica, Brahim, Mendy.For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.We're also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.