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Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Champions League match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu

Monday 03 November 2014 15:21 GMT

After a somewhat shaky start to their season, Real Madrid come into this game having successfully won their last ten games, an incredible run of form. After breezing past Liverpool two weeks ago, Madrid went on to air their dominance beating Barcelona 3-1 in El Clasico.

Live: Real Madrid vs Liverpool and Arsenal vs Anderlecht latest scores and updates

Ronaldo’s form does not seem to be diminishing either, the Portuguese international has now scored 22 goals in 15 games for Real Madrid, in all competitions.

The Spanish side could be forgiven for slowing down last time out, an assailable lead and El Clasico on the horizon to prepare for. However, with Ronaldo only two goals away from being the all-time top goal scorer in the Champions League, Real Madrid may well come out guns blazing.

Liverpool’s concerning form has continued, losing to in-form Newcastle at the weekend. Despite working hard, Mario Balotelli isn’t seeing much reward and looks like a player that doesn’t fit in with the philosophy.

A positive for Brendan Rodgers is how well Steven Gerrard played against Newcastle, executing marvellous cross field balls and showing he still has enough talent to cut it at the top.

It would be no surprise in this case to see Liverpool play a counter-attacking game. Sustain large periods of pressure but then get the ball out to Gerrard who can use the pace of Raheem Sterling to cause Real Madrid problems.

Should Liverpool lose, they would start to feel the pressure of qualification, whist Real Madrid would ensure passage through to the next round.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo, Benzema 2), Champions League, October 2014

Liverpool 4 (Torres, Gerrard 2, Dossena) Real Madrid 0, Champions League, March 2009

Real Madrid 0 Liverpool 1 (Benayoun), Champions League, February 2009

STATS…

Real Madrid’s win over Liverpool last month was their first in a competitive meeting.

Real Madrid have won their last five Champions League games, scoring 19 goals along the way.

Ronaldo has scored 17 goals in nine league games, four more than Liverpool’s total as a team over ten games.

If Real Madrid win they are at least guaranteed second place in the group.

Ronaldo only needs one goal to equal Raul as the all-time top Champions League goal scorer.

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Show all 22

1/22Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Liverpool: Simon Mignolet

Could do nothing about the first two goals but the third was a defensive mess. Made one very fine save from Cristiano Ronaldo - 6/10

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Glen Johnson

If it was not Ronaldo sprinting down Real's left, it was full-back Marcelo, adding up to a difficult night for Johnson, who also allowed Karim Benzema a free header for the second goal - 5

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Martin Skrtel

Beaten by the brilliance of Ronaldo for the first goal then outmuscled by Pepe for the third - 5

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Dejan Lovren

This was a thoroughly uncomfortable night for the Liverpool defence as a whole, but Lovren fared a little better than his team-mates - 6

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Alberto Moreno

An early threat going forward but given a tough time by Real's attacking triumvirate - 5

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Jordan Henderson

Worked hard but gave the ball away too often as Real overpowered Liverpool in midfield - 5

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Steven Gerrard

Began brightly and tested Iker Casillas with a fine shot in the 11th minute. Thereafter occupied trying to stifle Real's attacking threat - 6

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Joe Allen

Had one of Liverpool's better efforts on goal in the first half but outclassed in midfield - 5

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Raheem Sterling

Looked Liverpool's most dangerous attacker, with his pace troubling Real, but too often had to try to do the whole lot himself - 6

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Mario Balotelli

Retained despite heavy criticism but very ineffective and hauled off at half-time - 4

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Philippe Coutinho

Looked bright to start with before fading as Real took over. Hit the post with a fine effort at the end of the first half before being substituted in the second - 5

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Iker Casillas

The veteran Spain goalkeeper was making his 143th Champions League appearance, equalling all-time record holder Xavi. His form has been shaky but dealt with the few threats that came his way very capably - 6

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Alvaro Arbeloa

The former Liverpool full-back enjoyed a good tussle with Sterling and then Lallana - 6

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Raphael Varane

Not too much to worry about for the young French defender - 6

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Pepe

Set up the third goal with his persistence and had a comfortable night in defence - 6

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Marcelo

A real presence in Real's attack and Liverpool did not manage to exploit the gaps he left - 7

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Isco

A fine, energetic performance from the midfielder - 7

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Luka Modric

Instrumental in Real's control of the midfield - 8

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Toni Kroos

Immaculate in front of the back four and set up Benzema's goal with a fine cross. Booked for fouling Sterling - 8

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

James Rodriguez

Had to be patched up after an early blow to the head and had done little until his lovely chip set up Ronaldo - 7

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

James Rodriguez

Two goals for the Frenchman and it might have been more - 8

Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 player ratings

Cristiano Ronaldo

The former Manchester United man, not surprisingly, was greeted by plenty of boos. He had scored more goals this season than Liverpool's entire team and it took him only 23 minutes to add another sublime strike. A constant threat and substituted with Saturday's Clasico in mind - 8

ODDS…

Real Madrid to win: 1.22

Liverpool to win: 13.0

Draw: 6.0

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

In 2009, the pair met in the last 16 of the Champions League with Liverpool snatching a 1-0 away win in the first leg. Real Madrid came to Anfield already knowing they need an away goal to even things out. However, Liverpool and Torres delivered an incredible performance to win the tie 4-0, 5-0 on aggregate. Torres scored once, Gerrard twice and Doessena grabbing the last.

TV: Live on ITV at 7.45pm, highlights on ITV1 at 10.40pm.

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