Liverpool vs Real Madrid tips and predictions: Can Slot’s Reds turn the tide against ruthless Madrid?

Liverpool state of play

Liverpool’s 3-0 cup defeat at home to Crystal Palace made it six losses from seven in all competitions. Arne Slot went heavy on changes, with only Milos Kerkez staying in from the last outing. The decision drew plenty of noise afterwards, Jamie Redknapp among those saying he picked the “wrong team.”

Away from the cup, Liverpool are seventh in the Premier League title race, seven points behind Arsenal, who head to Slavia Prague the same night the Reds take on Madrid. The frustration around Anfield feels fair given the £446 million spent in the summer on Isak, Wirtz, Ekitike, Kerkez, Frimpong, and Leoni. 

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Still, Fabrizio Romano reports that the board remain calm for now. Slot’s job doesn’t seem to be under threat yet, but results through November and December will define how long that patience lasts. Every point that slips away from here on will push his name up the list of favourites in the next Premier League manager to be sacked market.

A major worry throughout the early stretch has been how Liverpool handle things without the ball. Their shape out of possession looks disjointed, and the press lacks that snap we’ve come to expect, which leaves gaps when they try to spring forward. That problem looked far less of an issue in the Champions League wins over Atlético Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt. The Merseysiders hit eight goals between them and moved the ball with far more intent. 

Real Madrid will be the biggest test yet, and the sort of stage that could spark a real turnaround if they manage to win it. William Hill have them at 2/5 to get the job done.

Real Madrid state of play

Things look far brighter in the Real Madrid camp. They’re top of La Liga, five points clear of Barcelona after beating them 2-1 only a few days ago. Mbappé and Bellingham got the goals, and the latter put in a performance that grabbed all the headlines. The top UK football bookies now have Madrid odds-on at 4/9 to see the job through.

One moment that caught plenty of attention was Vinícius Júnior storming off after being taken off. He later apologised to his teammates, the club, and supporters, though notably left Alonso out of his message. It might be stretching it to call that tension, but a recent piece in The Athletic did point to murmurs of unrest between the manager and parts of the dressing room over the demanding standards he’s been setting.

But on the pitch, you’d hardly know there’s any noise around the place. There’s too much class in that side for it to leave a mark. Madrid lost only one game all season and drew none. In the Champions League, they’ve beaten Marseille, Kairat Almaty, and Juventus, scoring seven and conceding just once.

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Key talking point: 10 matches without a clean sheet for Liverpool

Liverpool have gone ten competitive games without a clean sheet now. They’ve conceded first in six on the spin, all inside the opening sixteen minutes. Set-pieces are a real sore spot, seven given away already, with only Nottingham Forest and West Ham worse off in the league. 

Against a heavyweight like Real Madrid, that pressure only grows. Once they fall behind, they’re forced to chase. And the 15-time Champions League winners know how to strangle a game, averaging around 60% possession across league and Europe this season.

FIRST.com’s top tip - Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Pick: Both Teams to Score (Yes) – 2/5 – (Coral)

Liverpool are no doubt working right now on closing down gaps and stopping the leaks at the back. This week’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa will be the first test of those fixes. When Xabi Alonso’s side comes to Anfield, though, keeping Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinícius quiet is another challenge altogether. 

The Reds aren’t exactly toothless either. They’ve scored in nearly every match this season, failing only in the heavily rotated cup tie and the Champions League trip to Turkey.

Pick: Liverpool to win – 29/20 – (Ladbrokes)

What Arne Slot tried against Crystal Palace clearly didn’t work, but it means the main squad is now rested and ready to make amends. 

Ryan Gravenberch is expected back for the Villa clash and could build minutes before Madrid. Add Ekitike, Gakpo, and Salah, all desperate to make a statement, and you’ve got a side with a point to prove. I fancy them to respond. 

Anfield has a way of flipping the mood fast, and a visit from Los Blancos always stirs up old blood.

 💡TIP: Consider the ‘2Up & Win – Early Payout’ market at Ladbrokes at 5/4 instead of 29/20. It pays out as soon as Liverpool go two goals ahead, regardless of how the match finishes.

Team news

Liverpool’s injury list has been a real headache lately. Slot did share a bit of good news, saying Gravenberch should be back with the squad soon. Hopes were the same for Isak, but there’s been no update from the club, and word is surgery might be on the cards now or later to stop the groin issue from flaring up again.

Even so, plenty of Champions League betting sites still have him priced at 6/1 for first and 6/4 for anytime goalscorer, which shows they see a chance he makes the squad. Alisson’s still working his way back, while Frimpong, Bajcetic, Leoni, and Jones remain out.

READ: Champions League GW4 betting tips and predictions

Real Madrid’s latest update confirmed Carvajal’s gone under the knife for a knee problem and looks set to miss the rest of 2025.

The timing’s worked out well for Alonso, though, with Trent Alexander-Arnold back in full training after his hamstring lay-off and even named on the bench at the El Clásico. The other absentees for Madrid are Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy, both sidelined with thigh issues.

➡️ Pair these tips with our Tottenham vs Copenhagen predictions. 

Liverpool vs Real Madrid expected line-ups

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike (4-2-3-1).

Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni; Güler, Bellingham, Diaz, Vinícius; Mbappé (4-1-4-1).

Form guide 

Liverpool: LLWLLLLWWW

Real Madrid: WWWWLWWWWW

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Odds and data correct at the time of writing.