The next installment of the storied Liverpool-Real Madrid rivalry is set to unfold on Wednesday night, as the two European heavyweights clash in a highly-anticipated Champions League showdown. Arne Slot’s Liverpool are the only team in the competition with a flawless 12 points after four games, putting them 17 spots above the struggling titleholders in the 36-team standings.

Slot is poised to meet Carlo Ancelotti on the sidelines, fresh off joining the Italian in an exclusive managerial club on Sunday. Liverpool, spearheaded by Mohamed Salah, staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Southampton 3-2 in their top-vs-bottom Premier League encounter.

Before dominating the headlines with his post-match remarks about his future, Salah stole the show on a wet South Coast evening, netting the decisive double to seal Slot’s 10th victory in his opening 12 Premier League games. Only Guus Hiddink and Ancelotti share such an impressive start in the league, where Liverpool capitalized on Manchester City’s latest stumble to extend their lead at the summit to eight points ahead of Sunday’s anticipated clash with the reigning Champions League holders. At the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League rankings, Liverpool’s 4-0 dismantling of Bayer Leverkusen on matchday four solidified their impeccable form in Europe. The Reds are the only side yet to drop points in the 2024-25 campaign, a feat they last achieved during the 2021-22 season.

Liverpool’s performance at St Mary’s may have lacked sharpness, but Salah’s brilliance ensured that they’ve now scored at least twice in their last six games across all competitions. However, their lengthy winless run against Real Madrid looms large. Since their 4-0 victory at Anfield in 2009, Liverpool have failed to overcome Los Blancos in eight consecutive matches, losing seven and drawing once, including defeats in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals. Real Madrid’s 2024-25 Champions League campaign has been far from dominant. Losses to Lille (1-0) and AC Milan (3-1) have left them mid-table in 18th place — insufficient for a seeded playoff spot — but the 15-time champions have rediscovered their domestic form.

Ancelotti’s men cruised to back-to-back La Liga wins before the international break, thrashing Osasuna 4-0 and easing past Leganes 3-0. They’ve now closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to four points. Real Madrid are determined to avoid losing three group-stage games in a single Champions League season for the first time in their history, but recent visits to Anfield have been memorable for all the right reasons.

They famously dismantled Liverpool 5-2 in the 2022-23 last 16 before sealing progression with a 1-0 home win in the return leg. Liverpool had a mixed update on the injury front ahead of their Southampton trip. Harvey Elliott made his return to the squad after a foot injury, but Alisson Becker (hamstring), Diogo Jota (abdominal), Federico Chiesa (fitness), and Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) remained sidelined. Slot has hinted that Alexander-Arnold could feature on Wednesday, but the others are unlikely to return. Changes are expected, with Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister pushing to start after coming off the bench on Sunday. Real Madrid, meanwhile, face their own injury woes. Vinicius Junior is unlikely to play due to a hamstring problem sustained against Leganes. He joins David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Lucas Vazquez in the treatment room.

Ancelotti may stick with the same squad from the Leganes match, potentially handing a Champions League debut to 21-year-old Raul Asencio in defense. Brahim Diaz is set to deputize for Vinicius in the attack.

While Real Madrid are renowned for rising to the occasion in Europe, their patchy form and injury concerns could leave them vulnerable. Liverpool, energized by their recent successes, have an excellent opportunity to end their 15-year winless drought against Los Blancos and maintain their perfect Champions League record this season.

Best Tip: Both Teams To Score

Correct Score: 2-1