Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: Salah Takes on Mbappé in a Champs League Showdown at Anfield
4 November 2025
Lineups announced ahead of the Anfield showdown
Liverpool's coach Arne Slot and Real Madrid's coach Xabi Alonso unveiled their starting XI for the eagerly awaited Champions League clash at Anfield on Tuesday night. Slot trusted Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Mohamed Salah up front, with Giorgi Mamardashvili guarding the goal.
Alonso opted for a four-man midfield behind a frontline of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, while Trent Alexander-Arnold watched from the substitutes bench.
UEFA announced Romanian official Stefan Kovács to oversee the match, assisted by Mihai Marica and Ferenc Tunyogi, with Marcel Persan as fourth official. Video assistance will be provided by German referee Bastian Dankert and Vidai San Sui assisting as VAR staff.
Liverpool's lineup featured Mamardashvili in goal, with Robertson, van Dijk, Konaté and Bradley in defense, and Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister in midfield, supported by forwards Wirtz, Ekitike, and Salah. Real Madrid lined up with Courtois between the posts, Carvajal, Militao, and other defensive pillars, with a midfield trio behind Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Madrid sit fifth in the group with 9 points, while Liverpool are tenth with 6 points as the group stage unfolds.
A omen for Madrid, a warning for Liverpool
In parallel, UEFA announced Stephan Kovács as referee for the match, with assistants Mihai Marica and Ferenc Tunyiogi and Marcel Persan as the fourth official. Dankert will run VAR duties with Vidai San Sui assisting.
The return to Anfield for Mbappé
Less than a year after a tough night, French star Kylian Mbappé returns to Anfield to reaffirm his capability at the highest level, trying to erase memories of a costly moment that affected Madrid’s quest in Europe.
Slot’s revival of Liverpool
Slot’s management choices paid off in a previous league win over Aston Villa (2-0), rekindling belief among fans. The atmosphere at Anfield underlined the club’s renewed confidence and the sense that the team is climbing back from a rough patch.
Defensive solidity and personnel
The defense looked steadier, with Robertson playing a full 90 in a competitive display alongside van Dijk and Konaté, while Szoboszlai’s midfield presence helped control the tempo and recover possession. Liverpool’s defensive improvement was reflected in measurable defensive resilience, with the team keeping things tighter at the back for stretches of play.
Gravenberch and Mac Allister reassured the engine room, while Klopp’s successor in Slot benefited from a more balanced setup, allowing the team to press and sustain pressure high up the pitch. The Reds’ revival story continued as players returned to form and fitness, signaling a potential turning point for the campaign.
As the match time approached, supporters anticipated a tactical duel with moments of individual brilliance, a hallmark of two of European football’s most storied clubs. Expect suspense, edge-of-seat defending, and perhaps a late twist that could tilt the group in one direction or the other.
Punchline moment 1: If this game were a sniper, the shot would land right between the posts—though the ball keeps dodging the goalkeeper’s prayers. Punchline moment 2: When in doubt, blame the crossbar; it’s apparently the only referee that never gets booked for dodgy calls—liquidity issues aside, of course.
