Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Liverpool - Champions League

Real Madrid head to Liverpool on Wednesday night keen to improve their current standing in the Champions League table.

Los Blancos have managed to string two successive wins together after major disappointments against Barcelona and Milan but injury woes mean they travel to Anfield without a number of important first-team stars, including winger Vinicius Junior.

Two wins from four European games mean Madrid have work to do in the second part of the league phase. Here's the team manager Carlo Ancelotti may pick to get his side back on track.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-3-3)

RB: Federico Valverde - With Dani Carvajal out for the rest of the season and Lucas Vazquez struggling with the workload as his understudy, Ancelotti turned to the versatile Valverde at the weekend. The Uruguayan's industry made it a successful experiment and one his manager may have to repeat on Wednesday.

CB: Raul Asencio - With David Alaba still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and Eder Militao recently suffering the same long-term blow, youngster Raul has benefitted and could make his Champions League debut.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - Aurelien Tchouameni is also not available to slip into the defence as a last-ditch measure, but thankfully Rudiger remains fit and ready to get in the faces of Liverpool attackers like Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.

LB: Ferland Mendy - Fran Garcia must be cursing his luck given injuries have affected every area of Madrid's defence except left-back. Mendy remains first choice and should reclaim his place in the starting XI.

CM: Luka Modric - The Croatian is definitely starting to look his 39 years of age on the pitch and will be harried persistently by Liverpool's vibrant midfield. However, he should be fresh having been limited to a cameo role on Sunday.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga - Madrid's energy in the middle of the park will be brought by Camavinga, who appeared as an 86th-minute substitute in the 2022 final.

CM: Jude Bellingham - Vinicius Junior's injury could lead to better attacking performances from a number of Madrid stars, Bellingham being one. The England international, who was a big transfer target for Liverpool a few years ago, has registered two goals and three assists in his last four games and looks to be getting back to his best.

RW: Brahim Diaz - Vinicius' absence is a big blow but has been compounded by compatriot Rodrygo's unavailability. Diaz came up trumps at points last season when Bellingham was missing and needs to fill some of his teammates' boots again on Wednesday.

ST: Kylian Mbappe - For the first time since joining in the summer, Mbappe will be Madrid's leading light in attack on Wednesday. He'll have to deliver in Vinicius' absence for Los Blancos to win at Anfield.

LW: Dani Ceballos - That Dani Ceballos may end up starting on the wing might be discouraging to Endrick or Arda Guler, but a particular doggedness will be required out of possession and the former Arsenal loanee may be better suited to a role filled with back-tracking against Salah.

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