Sadio Mane to return to the EPL
Sadio Mane playing for Liverpool

Liverpool scored a last-gasp goal to beat Aston Villa during the weekend in the Premier League. And this win will be a big confidence booster before the Anfield outfit take on Real Madrid.

Liverpool suffered a 3-1 loss in the first leg against Madrid and if they are as poor as they were last week, Jurgen Klopp’s side will stand no chance against the La Liga outfit. To be honest, there’s not a lot the manager could change going into the second leg and he will hope that his usual players can do the job for him.

The win against Villa means Liverpool still remain in the hunt to finish in the top-four this season but with so many other clubs battling it out for just one single spot, Klopp is seriously eyeing to become the UCL champions this season, just to keep his side in the tournament next season as well.

Liverpool have the usual injury absentees but going into this match, the club thankfully has no fresh setbacks so the manager will be able to name his best starting line-up.

Liverpool team news vs Real Madrid:

Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak once again started in central defence against Villa and it looks like the manager has made up his mind about using the pair as his first-choice central defenders for the remainder of the season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the winner for Liverpool on Saturday and him along with Robertson are guaranteed starters against Real Madrid in the second leg.


Jordan Henderson remains a long-term absentee so Fabinho will start in defensive midfield alongside Gini Wijnaldum. Curtis Jones has a muscle problem and could be in line to miss out.

Naby Keita got a start ahead of Thiago in the first leg but that plan did not work out at all and we are confident the manager will not be making the same mistake for the second leg as well. Keita will be warming the benches as Thiago starts.

Sadio Mane started on the bench against Aston Villa and some think the manager should use him as a sub against Real Madrid as well. This would mean both Jota and Firmino will get to play up front. But we doubt if Klopp will be ready to take such a big gamble.

A player of Mane’s stature will definitely start, along with Mo Salah. Firmino has not been in the best of forms this season which is why Diogo Jota should be leading the line on Wednesday night.

Injury updates via Premier Injuries.

Read: Can Liverpool manage to stage a comeback vs Real Madrid at the back of their Villa win?

Read: Has Alexander-Arnold managed to secure an England first-team spot after his fine display vs Villa?

Read: Liverpool have accepted the inevitable according to Klopp.