Liverpool take on Real Madrid at the Stade de France in the Champions League Final on Saturday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s men agonisingly missed out on the Premier League title last weekend. After a dramatic 90 minutes for their final domestic fixture, they’ll look for consolation in Paris.
The Reds arrive in the French capital in imperious form. The Anfield club have lost just one game in all competitions in 2022.
That sole defeat came at the hands of Inter Milan in the last 16 second leg. Despite losing 1-0 at Anfield, Liverpool progressed having won the first leg 2-0.
From there, the route to the final could be deemed slightly easier than their Spanish opponents. Liverpool faced Benfica in the quarter-finals and walked away 6-4 winners on aggregate.
That set up a semi-final clash with Unai Emery and Villarreal. The Reds took the first leg 2-0 at Anfield, but the second leg was much more eventful. Klopp’s men overturned a 2-0 half time deficit to win the game 3-2.
For Real Madrid, their form has tailed off somewhat since securing their 35th La Liga title. The Spanish giants won just one of their final four league clashes. However, manager Carlo Ancelotti has had the chance to rest key players.
That didn’t stop him from fielding a full strength side against Betis for their final league game last week. The thinking is that it was intended to sharpen up their focus ahead of this titanic clash.
It’s a meeting between two of Europe’s most successful clubs. We’re hoping it meets expectations.
Below, we’ll preview this Champions League fixture and provide our predictions, the team news, our recommended bets and more…
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Predictions
This is a major European final, so pretty much anything can happen here. If it’s anything like the 2018 final that featured these two clubs, it’s going to be epic.
Liverpool are a much improved side from the one that lost 3-1 that night in Kiev. One major factor in the defeat was Loris Karius in goal for the Reds.
Since then, he has been replaced by Alisson Becker. The Brazilian shot stopper has quickly built his reputation, and is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
However it’s the midfield that Liverpool have improved the most since that fateful night in Ukraine. The addition of Fabinho, Thiago and Naby Keita has revitalised this Liverpool team.
It will be fascinating to see how they match up against an admittedly ageing Real Madrid midfield. Experience is essential in games like this though, so don’t right off the Spaniards by any means.
Speaking of experience, these two have plenty of that in major European finals. This Real Madrid’s chance to win European Cup number 14 in the club’s illustrious history. Liverpool are chasing number seven.
Klopp will be expecting his side to bring plenty of energy to the cause. However, over the last few games, his players have looked visibly exhausted after a long campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti is a master tactician and knows how to get the best out of these players. His former employment at Everton also adds another element of spice to this already tantalising fixture.
The game will be won on the pitch, however. Can Real’s experienced campaigners hold off the exuberance of Liverpool’s attack? Time will tell.
Read on for our Liverpool vs Real Madrid predictions and best bets.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Head to Head
Since 1981, these two historic clubs have met on eight separate occasions, all in the Champions League/European Cup. Of those eight meetings, Real Madrid have won four, with Liverpool winning three and the other ending in a draw.
All three of Liverpool’s wins over Madrid have come in the first three meetings. The first was the 1-0 win in the final of 1981, the third of Liverpool’s six European titles.
The sides didn’t meet again until the last 16 of the 2008/9 Champions League campaign. Liverpool took the first leg 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, before securing progression with a 4-0 drubbing at Anfield.
Los Blancos had to wait until 2014 for some revenge. The teams were drawn together in the group stages of the competition that year. Madrid won the first game at Anfield 3-0, before a 1-0 back in Madrid.
Four years later, the two clubs met for the 2018 final in Kiev. After a tense first half, the second half exploded with action. Quick fire goals from either side set the game alight, before Gareth Bale came off the bench to score an historic brace.
Madrid were also responsible for knocking Liverpool out of this competition last season. A 3-1 aggregate win in the quarter finals for the Spaniards sent Liverpool packing.
Liverpool Team News – W W D W D
Klopp had several injury headaches to contend with over the last few weeks. Some of those may hang over into this game. However, Alisson is fully fit and is expected to start the game in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will start at right wing back, with Andy Robertson on the other side at left wing back. Virgil Van Dijk is back in training and could be risked from the start, he is likely to be partnered by Joel Matip.
Fabinho has been out of action all month, but Klopp looks to have done that purposefully. The Brazilian is likely to start at the centre of midfield. He could be joined by Naby Keita and Thiago.
Luis Diaz has impressed since arriving at Anfield and could get the nod up front. He would partner Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, who won the Premier League Golden Boot this season.
Real Madrid Team News – D D W L W
Carlo Ancelotti has no major injury concerns heading into this final. Our Liverpool vs Real Madrid predictions expect Thibaut Cortois to retain his place in goal.
Ferland Mendy will occupy the left back position, with Dani Carvajal at right back. Eder Militao will start in the centre of defence alongside David Alaba, who was rested last week.
Casemiro will sit at the heart of the midfield. He will allow Luca Modric and Toni Kroos the freedom to conduct proceedings.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are expected to start on each attacking wing of the Spaniards. Karim Benzema, the competition’s top scorer this season, will lead the attack.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Betting Tips
The Reds actually find themselves favourites going into this one. The traders have priced up Klopp’s men at 21/20 in our Liverpool vs Real Madrid match bets.
Liverpool have already won two domestic trophies this season, but drew both games in 90 minutes. If you think this one will end all square, you can back the draw at 13/5.
Madrid are looking to extend their record of 13 Champions League titles here. They’re the slight outsiders to win this one in 90 minutes though at 12/5.
Given the significance of the fixture, this is expected to be a tight, tense affair. Don’t expect to see the same mistakes that led to goals in the 2018 final. We think it will end all square at the 90 minutes mark.
