15 March 2023 , 08:00
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Liverpool travel to Real Madrid on Wednesday looking to overturn a mammoth three-goal deficit to progress into the quarter-final of the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp's side suffered a 5-2 defeat in the first-leg on Merseyside three weeks ago and need to produce another miracle-like performance if they stand any chance of progressing.
The Reds famously pulled off a similar shock comeback when they came from 3-0 down to beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate on a memorable evening at Anfield back in May 2019.
However, this will be a completely different task given that Liverpool are away from home and against the reigning champions, who have won their last two meetings against Klopp's men.
But how might Klopp line up his side to take on Los Blancos?
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Alisson has been arguably one of Liverpool's best players this season and will keep his place in net for the trip to Madrid. He had kept five successive Premier League clean sheets before the trip to struggling Bournemouth on Saturday - a game the Reds lost 1-0.
At the back, there is expected to be little change from the side that were beaten at the Vitality Stadium despite the criticism Virgil van Dijk, in particular, received. The Dutchman was hammered by many pundits and fans alike but is key to the way Liverpool play and is an ever-present in the Reds XI when fit.
Virgil van Dijk is set to start against Real Madrid (Getty Images)Can Liverpool overturn the three-goal deficit to progress? Let us know in the comments below!
Ibrahima Konate could partner the Netherlands ace in the back-two ahead of Joel Matip, with the dependable duo of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson as the two full-backs.
In midfield, Klopp has issues as Jordan Henderson has been ruled out through illness and Stefan Bajcetic is also out with an adductor injury.
Fabinho and Harvey Elliott are both set to start in the middle, and are likely to be joined by one of James Milner and Naby Keita, with veteran Milner perhaps getting the nod.
Moving into the front three and Klopp could make wholesale changes to the forward line given that Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are knocking on the door for rare starts. However, it is likely that the Liverpool boss makes just the one alteration, with Jota in for Cody Gakpo.
Darwin Nunez scored in the reverse tie against Real Madrid and could well start from the left-hand side, with Mohamed Salah, who also netted three weeks ago, on the right-wing.
Liverpool predicted XI to face Real Madrid : Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Elliott, Fabinho, Milner, Salah, Jota, Nunez