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2022/23 UEFA Champions League
Round of 16
Second leg
Real Madrid v Liverpool
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid, Spain
Wednesday, 15 March 2023
Kick-off is at 22h00
Liverpool will look to capitalise on Real Madrid's recent shaky form when they lock horns in the
UEFA Champions League last-16, second leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, March 15.
Los Blancos recovered from a poor start in the first leg at Anfield on February 21 as they battled back from two early goals down to eventually run out 5-2 victors.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have gone winless since then, drawing with Atletico Madrid (1-1) and Real Betis (0-0) in La Liga, while suffering a 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
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Meanwhile, the Reds have gone three games unbeaten in the Premier League after their capitulation to Real last month, drawing with Crystal Palace (0-0) and beating Wolves 2-0 before thumping fierce rivals Manchester United 7-0.
Jurgen Klopp's team trail Tottenham by just three points with a game in hand in the race for a four-four finish and qualification for the Champions League.
Vinicius Junior kickstarted the comeback against the Merseysiders with a brace and is in a rich vein of form in the competition after bagging four goals in his last three outings. The Brazilian winger is Real's leading scorer in Europe this season with six goals from seven appearances.
Mohamed Salah might not be as prolific in the Premier League this term but he's been red hot in the Champions League, netting eight goals in seven games to sit at the top of the scoring charts. The Egyptian talisman scored the fastest hat-trick in the competition when he came off the bench against Rangers to plunder three goals in the space of just six minutes during the group stages.
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In team news, the hosts must do without Andriy Lunin (gastrointestinal) and David Alaba (hamstring), while Calvin Ramsay, Luis Diaz (both knee), Thiago Alcantara (groin), Joe Gomez, Naby Keita (muscular) and Arthur Melo remain sidelined for the visitors.
Ancelotti insists the job is only half done and expects Liverpool won't just roll over for them in the Spanish capital.
"We have gained an advantage from the first 90 minutes and now we have to manage the second 90 in Madrid well," he said. "Liverpool are a highly competitive team and unfortunately the tie isn't over.
"Liverpool are a great team because they play at a high tempo and that's tough to come by in Europe. It's going to be tough for us."
Klopp admits the Reds will have to take some risks in a bid to overturn a three-goal deficit but insists they cannot afford to go gung-ho due to Real's threat on the counter.
"Tonight, with the 5-2 and you see the game, they are pretty good in counter-attacking and we have to score three goals there and take some risk, so that could be a bit tricky," he said.
"We go there, I can say it now already, and try to win the game. If that is possible or not, I don't know now but that's what we will try and from there we will see."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Champions League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Real Madrid - 4
Liverpool - 0
Draws - 1
UEFA Champions League fixtures:
Tuesday, March 14
22h00: Manchester City v RB Leipzig
22h00: Porto v Inter Milan
Wednesday, March 15
22h00: Real Madrid v Liverpool
22h00: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt
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