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UCL

Liverpool vs Real Madrid combined XI

15:20 - 21 February 2023
Tuesday's Champions League matchup between Liverpool and Real Madrid pits two of the tournament's most successful teams in recent years against each other.
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Liverpool and Real Madrid may be having contrasting seasons on the domestic front, but the Champions League is always a different kettle of fish for these historic sides. 

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With that in mind, we have selected a combined XI ahead of a mouthwatering encounter.

Goalkeeper: Allison (Liverpool)

Despite Liverpool struggling for most of the season, Allison has remained as consistent as ever. 

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Crucial saves in important games have been the hallmark of his season and despite a faltering backline, he has managed to keep 7 clean sheets in the league this season. 

Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Trent has performed below his lofty standards this season but he is still one of the most creative players in European football. 

Despite the valid concerns about his defensive play, he more than makes up for it in the final third. 

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Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

The Dutch defender returned to Liverpool's starting XI for their last game and the Reds immediately looked better. 

He provided leadership and an aerial presence that very few defenders in the World can match. A vital player for Liverpool if they have designs on a Champions League triumph this year. 

Centre-back: Eder Militao (Real Madrid)

This was a toss-up between Militao and Antonio Rudiger who has also been good for Madrid. However, Militao gets the nod here. 

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He is one of the fastest defenders in Spain and his pace could prove useful against the quick and pacey Liverpool attackers.

Left back:  Andy Robertson (Liverpool)

This is one position that suffers from a lack of consistency for both teams. Andy Robertson gets the nod here. He has been available and has steadily improved as the season has gone on. 

Ferland Mendy has battled with injuries for Madrid and David Alaba has spent most of his time playing in the heart of defence and has also dealt with injuries. 

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Centre Midfield: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

At 37, Modric is still one of the best midfielders in the World. He is still the orchestrator for Real Madrid. 

Despite not sprinting around the pitch as frequently as he once did, he still possesses one of the best passing ranges in the world.

Centre Midfield: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)

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Valverde has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season in front of goal for Madrid, scoring seven league goals in 22 games after managing just five in his previous five seasons at the club.

His energy and knack for being at the right place in the right moments have endeared him to the Madrid faithful. Liverpool will need to keep him quiet if they want a good result in this fixture. 

Centre Midfield: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)

Camavinga has shown his versatility this season by playing at left-back to help fill a problem area for Los Blancos. 

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He is very capable of putting a shift in other positions but he is predominantly a midfielder and one of the best young midfielders in the World. 

He is yet to miss a La Liga game this season for Carlo Ancelotti's side and will once again be relied upon to provide that burst from deeper positions. 

Left wing: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

I think this is a no-brainer. Vinicius is one of deadliest attackers in World football at the moment. 

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Liverpool fans will remember vividly how he performed against them in last season's Champions League final. He was devastating throughout and capped it up with the winning goal. 

Right wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Salah has had a bit of an up and down season, perhaps not scoring at the rate Liverpool fans are used to but he has looked more like his old self in their past two games.

He is also the joint top scorer in the Champions League this season after bagging seven in the group stage. 

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Centre-Forward: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

The Ballon d'Or winner scored 15 times in 12 UCL appearances last season, with hat-tricks in the knockout stage against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea on the way to a fifth winners medal in the competition.

He has already scored 11 goals in 13 league starts this term and after struggling with injury he looks like he’s back to his absolute best.

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