Liverpool haven’t exactly been on fire so far this season. Indeed, they have been unrecognisable from the side which played so fluently for much of the last campaign.
Improvement is needed in most areas of the park. But Liverpool shouldn’t be feeling in any way glum or fearful of the visit of Real Madrid – even if the Spaniards are on fire.
Because, lest we forget, this is exactly what Liverpool sweated blood for last season – the chance to once more rub shoulders with the big boys of Europe. And every team in Europe must know about the fabled atmosphere at Anfield on big European nights.
Daniel Sturridge, Sakho and Flanagan are injured but other players have come back to full fitness at a good time. Liverpool have options in defence and midfield again.
With Sturridge out Steven Gerrard may once again be positioned behind Balotelli to pull the strings and offer a little more solidity than Coutinho or Lallana at number 10.
Emre Can showed his qualities at the weekend and could get the nod in the defensive midfield alongside Henderson. Liverpool may decide to go for it but we think that they may set out in this more cautious way and add attackers from the bench if required.
In defence the big question is whether Liverpool go for youth or experience in the full back positions – despite poor defending at the weekend we think that they may opt for Johnson and Enrique.
Here’s our strongest XI, fitness permitting, for what should be an amazing game. Liverpool fans: agreed?
