Wed |19:45 BST / 20:45 CET | Liverpool v Real Madrid [UEFA Champions League]

180px-Liverpool_FC.svg.jpg Liverpool v Real Madrid Real_Madrid_CF.svg.jpg

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date:
Wednesday, 22 October
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?...90&part=sports

Real Madrid make their way to Anfield as Europe’s most prolific side, having scored 37 goals in their 10 European and La Liga matches this season, so Liverpool fans will be feeling a mixture of excitement and dread. Their team were very fortunate to come away from QPR with three points at the weekend after more farcical defending. They have now kept just one clean sheet in their 10 matches in the league and Champions League.

Defeat at Basel last time out means Liverpool could need a result from their matches against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but the hosts will be wary of playing an expansive game given their defensive shortcomings this season. With that in mind, the fact that they will be facing Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday is cause for considerable concern.

The Portuguese has scored at least once in each of his nine appearances across the league and Champions League this season, with 17 in total in those matches. He has never scored at Anfield – in five attempts – but it’s hard to see that run continuing this week. The match will be a stern test for 20-year-old Javier Manquillo, who is likely to replace Glen Johnson at right-back.

Real Madrid's world record signing Gareth Bale is out of Wednesday's Champions League game at Liverpool with an injured upper thigh muscle.

The 25-year-old Wales forward was an unused substitute in Saturday's win over Levante in La Liga.
He has not been included in the 20-man squad for the match at Anfield, while Sergio Ramos (calf) is also missing.

Following their trip to Merseyside, Real host Spanish rivals Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday.
Bale played the full 90 minutes for Wales in both of their recent European Championship qualifying matches, against Bosnia-Hercegovina on 10 October and Cyprus in Cardiff three days later.
Wales' next Euro 2016 qualifying match is against Belgium on 16 November.

Former Tottenham player Bale, who joined Real for £85.3m last year, has played 12 matches for the Spanish side this season, scoring five goals.
Real have won both their opening two Champions League games this season, while Liverpool have won one and lost one.

As far as their own goalscoring is concerned, Liverpool have significantly less firepower at their disposal, for now at least. Daniel Sturridge has suffered another injury setback, piling more pressure on Mario Balotelli to carry the goalscoring burden. It’s fair to say it’s a pressure he isn’t coping with right now, firing off the most shots without scoring a league goal in Europe’s top five divisions (30).

With problems at either end, this is probably the least desirable fixture a team in Liverpool’s situation could face, but try telling that to the Liverpool faithful, with an electric atmosphere a certainty at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Attached Images

• Real_Madrid_CF.svg.jpg (14.9 KB)
• 180px-Liverpool_FC.svg.jpg (11.8 KB)