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      Ill Real Madrid star flies into Liverpool alone at last minute to take place on the bench for Champions League tie

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      TONI KROOS has flown into Liverpool at the last minute to make the Real Madrid bench.The midfielder was thought to have been unavailable for tonight’s Champions League clash due to illness.
      Toni Kroos is well enough to make the squadCredit: Getty
      But he is ready to play after joining up with his team-mates at around 2pm today.
      The Germany international reportedly spoke with manager Carlo Ancelotti and staff this morning.
      The decision was then made to fly Kroos out alone – just in time to be included in the matchday squad.
      It is a big bonus for Real Madrid as the midfielder has missed the last two games with illness.
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      The club confirmed the late addition to their squad with a statement.
      It reads: “Toni Kroos has joined Real Madrid’s squad for tonight’s match against Liverpool, corresponding to the first leg of the Champions League round of 16,” their statement read.
      “The German joins the list of players available by Carlo Ancelotti for the match at Anfield.”
      Real visit Anfield for the first time since April 2021, when they drew 0-0 with the Reds to reach the Champions League semi-final.
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      But the two teams have met more recently – last season’s Champions League final which ended in a 1-0 win to the Spaniards.
      Jurgen Klopp is seeking revenge but admitted his side need to produce two top performances across the two legs.
      He said: “We need to play two super games to go through. We have to be at our best to stand a chance.
      “For Real Madrid it is different — even if they don’t play their best they still stand a chance.
      “That’s what is special about them.” More

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      Real Madrid announce team to face Liverpool two hours before clash as Carlo Ancelotti springs selection surprise

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      REAL MADRID named their team to take on Liverpool over TWO HOURS before kick off.The two sides meet in a rematch of last year’s Champions League final in a mouthwatering last-16 encounter.
      Real Madrid named their starting line up to face Liverpool over two hours before kick offCredit: PA
      The Spanish giants went early on releasing team news, doing so on Twitter exactly two hours and four minutes before kick off at Anfield.
      And some fans on social media were surprised by the selection of Rodrygo, with Dani Ceballos expected to have been given the nod.
      One wrote: “Madrid is wrong not to play with the four midfielders…!!! I preferred Ceballos or Kroos in the midfield not Rodrygo…!!!”
      Another added: “I was expecting Ceballos instead of Rodrygo, a brave bet.”
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      Former Arsenal man Ceballos has started the last five La Liga games in a row but is only good enough for the bench this evening.
      Rodrygo has played up front recently while Karim Benzema has been dealing with an injury.
      The Frenchman returns to the team against Liverpool, but Rodrygo also keeps his place in the XI.
      Thibaut Courtois starts in goal for Real Madrid, looking to repeat his heroics from last year’s final against the Reds.
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      Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Miliatao and David Alaba have been named at the back.
      Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde appear set to play in the middle, with Rodrygo, Benzema and Vinicius Jr up front.
      However, another option would have been for Valverde to play out wide instead of Rodrygo and keep Ceballos midfield, with Toni Kroos originally expected to be missing through illness.
      However, Kroos was a late addition to the matchday squad after initially not being named in the travelling party.
      Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy remain sidelined through injury. More

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      Liverpool 2 Real Madrid 5 LIVE RESULT: Benzema caps stunning comeback for Los Blancos as Reds collapse – reaction

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      REAL MADRID came from two-goals down to win at Anfield 5-2.Goals from Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao and Karim Benzema fired the defending European champions to a stunning win.
      After Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah’s early strikes, Liverpool simply collapsed in the face of a superior and more composed opponent.
      Goals: Nunez (4), Salah (14); Vinicius Jr (21, 36), E Militao (47), Benzema (55, 67)
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      Stay up to date with all the latest from Anfield…
      Klopp’s headache set to continue
      The biggest question that is being asked of this Liverpool team this season is whether they will be able to achieve a top four finish.
      Without that, the implications are huge to the club.
      Klopp may have to now focus on their remaining league fixtures to try and ensure they stand any chance of reducing the gap between themselves and teams vying for the Champions League qualification spots.
      Watch out for those hairdryers
      Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be tearing into his side in the changing rooms right about now.
      Not one to pull any punches, his players can expect the full hairdryer treatment from the Liverpool manager.
      The fans would say, rightly so, as they saw their team make far too many mistakes and they were up against a side who punished them.
      Real Madrid took their chances and humbled The Reds in front of their own fans.
      Credit: Getty
      Liverpool legend has his say
      Ex-Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher gave his verdict on Jurgen Klopp’s side this evening as he spoke with CBS:
      That was shambolic from Liverpool. Embarrassing. We’ve made excuses for them all season but that was a disgrace in that second half.Jamie CarragherFootball pundit
      Croatian rolling back the years
      Some people have questioned whether this Real Madrid side is too old now and needs revamping.
      Luka Modric answered those questions this evening with a sublime performance.
      In the heart of midfield he was pulling the strings and the 37-year-old was ghosting past players he is almost double the age of.

      FT: Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      Well, that was a footballing lesson by the Spanish giants.
      Clinical in front of goal, they punished Liverpool for every mistake they made.
      Luka Modric has shown tonight that form is temporary, class is permanent.

      FT: Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      The referee blows his whistle to bring the game to an end.
      Liverpool’s fans will be somewhat relieved.
      This has been a hiding at Anfield tonight.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      90+2. Liverpool have been the comeback kings in Europe for so many years but this will be surely too big of an ask even for The Reds.
      Salah goes down in the box and there is a half-hearted appeal for a penalty but the referee is not interested.
      The home fans sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      90. Jurgen Klopp looks like he is ready to go home.
      What makes it worse for the German manager is that he is going to have to watch this all again to do his analysis of the game.
      Madrid are still looking to come forward, they are not done.
      There are going to be three minutes added.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      88. Madrid make a few changes now with Benzema and Modric coming off for Asensio and Toni Kroos.
      The Spanish side have some big games coming up.
      Ancelotti would not have expected to be able to rest players at any stage in this game tonight.
      Credit: Getty
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      86. Elliott comes on for Bajcetic.
      Alexander-Arnold whips in a corner but Madrid clear easily.
      What a difference in the atmosphere now compared to the first 15 minutes of this game.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      84. It won’t be long before the home end starts looking like we are having a fire drill.
      Modric has been immense this evening, rolling back the years.
      Nacho comes down the flank and he thinks he should have a free kick but the referee is not having any of it.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      82. Any side left in the competition who wondered if Real Madrid were capable of defending their crown have had their answer here tonight.
      This side just do not know when they are beaten.
      Carlo Ancelotti’s side certainly have not read the script.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      80. The home fans are relishing the final whistle now.
      Real Madrid have put Klopp’s side to the sword this evening.
      Rodrygo comes off for Ceballos.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      78. You have to credit where it’s due, Madrid’s performance has been something else.
      Most sides would have crumbled going 2-0 down so early on in a big European night at Anfield.
      Klopp’s side have big worries about qualifying for next season’s competition, but they can be assured that it is over for this one.
      Credit: EPA
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      76. Liverpool are struggling to get the ball off Madrid.
      They are the masters of controlling the game when they don’t need to chase it.
      These fans will not forget where they were when Liverpool conceded five goals in the Champions League for the first time.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      74. Joe Gomez comes off for Joel Matip.
      If Gomez had anymore of a nightmare this evening, no one would be surprised to find his home address is Elm Street.
      This tie is all but over for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      72. This is not a sight these fans are used to seeing.
      The last team to score five goals at Anfield were Arsenal in the Carabao Cup four years ago.
      Madrid are starting to dominate the ball.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      70. This has gone from the sublime to the surreal.
      Liverpool were 2-0 up in this game and since that, Madrid have scored five unanswered goals.
      Looking around the ground the fans look stunned.
      Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
      68. Wow, this has gone pear-shaped for Liverpool.
      Modric and Vinicius Junior combine before finding the Ballon D’Or winner.
      He takes the ball around on the onrushing Alisson and slots the ball home.
      Credit: Getty
      Goal – Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
      Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
      66. The ball breaks out to Bajcetic and he tries to curl one in from some distance.
      It looked closer from some angles but was not troubling Courtois in the Madrid goal.
      Madrid clear downfield and van Dijk heads the ball clear.
      Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
      64. Klopp does not look a happy man on the touchline.
      Robertson is still driving forward looking to support their attacks.
      Alexander-Arnold crosses and Carvajal puts it behind for a corner.
      Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
      62. This could play into the visitors hands now that Liverpool need to chase the game.
      Modric is finding too much space in the centre of park here.
      Rudiger tries an optimistic effort from long range, well over.
      Gakpo and Nunez are coming off for Jota and Firmino.
      Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
      60. Vinicius Junior gets a yellow card for trying to delay a free kick.
      As Liverpool come forward, the attack breaks down and the visitors look to counter attack.
      They are in no rush now having already scored four goals this evening.
      Liverpool 2-4 Real Madrid
      58. We still have over 30 minutes of this game remaining and there has already been six goals.
      Am sure we will see more.
      The referee is having a word with Nunez who went in with his arm leading against Rudiger.
      Load more entries… More

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      Kevin De Bruyne among three Man City stars ruled OUT of crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig

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      MANCHESTER CITY have suffered a blow ahead of their Champions League clash against RB Leipzig after three key stars were RULED OUT of the game.Kevin De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones have all not been included ahead of the Champions League last 16 clash.
      Kevin De Bruyne has missed Manchester City trainingCredit: Getty
      De Bruyne in particular has been crucial in helping Pep Guardiola’s outfit maintain a title push this season.
      He has registered 18 assists in all competitions, while adding the opener against Arsenal during the 3-1 win at the Emirates last week.
      However, he was unable to help Man City overcome Nottingham Forest at the weekend as Forest held the Champions to a 1-1 draw.
      With Arsenal getting back to winning ways before that, City are now once again chasing Mikel Arteta’s challengers.
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      Regardless, the trophy the Cityzens are truly desperate to get their hands on is the Champions League.
      But if they are to do it this year they will need to play the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie without some major stars.
      None of the three aforementioned stars have been included in the 22-man travelling squad, while Kyle Walker also missed training ahead of the fixture.
      Laporte remains an invaluable player when Guardiola wants to build up from the left flank, with the defenders passing range second to none from deep.
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      Stones is also a big part of City’s defence in both offensive and defensive phases, but remains sidelined after aggravating an injury earlier this month.
      Walker has also seen his role in the team lessen this season, but he has also filled into a more auxiliary centre-back role when required.
      City will be among the last sides to play in the Champions League, with Liverpool in action against Real Madrid tonight and Chelsea and Tottenham having already had their first legs.
      The Reds and City will hope to fare better than their London counterparts did, with both picking up 1-0 away defeats.
      Following the midweek visit to Germany, City will visit the South Coast in the hopes of getting back to winning ways in the Prem against Bournemouth. More

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      Liverpool vs Real Madrid Wags, from models to a Little Mix singer, as the European giants meet in the Champions League

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      THEY don’t call it the beautiful game for nothing.Excitement is at fever pitch ahead of tonight’s Champions League last-16 clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
      Excitement is at fever pitch ahead as Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP
      And these stunning Wags will be cheering on their other halves when The Reds take on Los Blancos in the first leg of their last-16 clash.
      As the saying goes, behind every man is a great woman, so we kick off the interest early with the lowdown on some of the players’ wives and girlfriends who provide them with much-needed support at home.
      From a doctor and architect to a world-famous singer and a reality TV star, this lot are in a league of their own . . .
      Mishel Gerzig – goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
      Mishel Gerzig and Thibaut Courtois were first spotted together in 2020
      IT’S not hard to see why Israeli model Mishel, 25, caught the eye of the Belgian goalie, 30, who slid into her DMs on Instagram.
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      The pair were first spotted together in Ibiza after Belgium were knocked out of Euro 2020.
      This summer the happy couple got engaged, as Courtois dropped to one knee to ask for his beloved’s hand in marriage.
      Jordan Ozuna – striker Karim Benzema
      Karim Benzema’s Wag Jordan Ozuna used to be a waitress at Hooters
      Model Jordan used to work as a Hooters waitress in Las Vegas but is now signed to several US-based modelling agencies.
      The stunning 32-year-old has used her enviable figure to help promote State Management, Caroline Gleason Management, Tricia Brink Management, and The Salt Agency.
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      She joined Benzema at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he was crowned the world’s best player.
      Sandra Garal – forward Marco Asensio
      Sandra Garal met Marco Asensio while working as a nightclub waitress
      SANDRA met Marco, 27, while working as a waitress in a nightclub in 2019.
      The Spanish couple managed to keep their relationship a secret for months.
      The 26-year-old, who studied architecture in Madrid, now models and has over 340,000 Instagram followers.
      Maria Julia Mazalli – forward Vinicius Junior
      Maria Julia Mazalli started dating Vinicius Junior in 2019
      AN eagle-eyed fan revealed the 22-year-old winger was dating Maria in 2019 after they each posted selfies in the same bathroom.
      The 27-year-old influencer found fame on Brazilian reality show, Holiday With The Ex in 2017.
      Natalia Becker – goalkeeper Alisson Becker
      Natalia Becker met Alisson Becker in their native Brazil in 2012
      BRAINY Natalia, 31, met Alisson, 30, in their native Brazil in 2012 while she was studying to become a doctor.
      They married in 2015 and moved to Liverpool three years later.
      They have three kids – Helena, five, Matteo, two, and Rafael, one.
      Larissa Pereira – striker Roberto Firmino
      Larissa Pereira and Roberto Firmino were married in 2017
      THE model married Roberto, 31, in their home country of Brazil in 2017 after three years together.
      As well as being a mum to their three daughters, the 30-year-old is an entrepreneur, having founded fashion brand BeValen Store.
      Rike Nooitgedagt – defender Virgil van Dijk
      Rike Nooitgedagt and Virgil van Dijk were childhood sweethearts and wed in 2017
      FIERCELY private Rike, 31, gave up her job as a fashion sales manager to support the 31-year-old Dutch ace when he signed to Celtic in 2013.
      The childhood sweethearts wed in 2017 and have kids Nila and Jadi.
      Rute Cardoso – forward Diogo Jota
      Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota are childhood sweetheartsCredit: rutecfcardoso14/Instagram
      CHILDHOOD sweethearts Rute, and Diogo, both 26, met at school in their native Portugal.
      Rute seems to have settled well into life in the UK and even admitted to being a fan of Peaky Blinders.
      The couple have a one-year-old son called Dinis.
      Perrie Edwards – midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Perrie Edwards have become one of the hottest showbiz couples
      THE Little Mix star and Alex, both 29, have become one of the hottest showbiz couples since they started dating in 2016.
      They welcomed son, Axel, in 2021, and Perrie looked incredible on the girl band’s recent Confetti Tour.
      Saffie Khan – midfielder Curtis Jones
      Saffie Khan and Curtis Jones went Instagram official in 2021
      THE couple went Instagram official in 2021, but it is believed they have been dating since 2019.
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      Saffie is signed to M Models Management and lives with Curtis, 22.
      The 20-year-old often shares snaps of her lavish holidays with her 40K followers. More

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      Play Single Game Survivor while watching Liverpool v Real Madrid tonight – get predictions right to win cash!

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      LIVERPOOL meet Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 tonight at Anfield, a repeat of last season’s final.With so much excitement around this blockbuster fixture, we’re offering fans and neutrals alike the chance to win some cash through Single Game Survivor!
      Simply make a few predictions around the game (first booking, first team to two corners, etc) and if you’re proved correct you’ll bank a wedge of the prize pot.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR FOR LIVERPOOL V REAL MADRID TONIGHT!

      What is Single Game Survivor?
      Single Game Survivor takes its inspiration from our Classic Survivor Game.
      In Classic Survivor, you pick a Premier League team to win each week. They win, you survive; they don’t, you’re out.
      And it’s exactly the same principle with Single Game Survivor (or SGS as it’s more snappily known), except that in this game you make picks during a single match – in this case, Liverpool v Real Madrid.
      Get your predictions right as the game goes along and you’ll survive; but get them wrong and you’re out.
      The pleasant twist? You get two lives to play with!
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      How do you make picks in SGS?
      Ahead of the match, we’ll serve up some questions for you to consider. Such as:

      Which team will score first?
      Which of these four players will have a shot on target first?

      And so on.
      Win these mini-battles to keep yourself alive!
      Credit: DREAM TEAM
      How do I win money in SGS?
      Now for the good bit.
      You get two chances to win in SGS, with the first cash prize coming if you survive until half-time.
      If your sharp football instincts help you survive until full-time, you take a share of the prize pot that remains.
      Why should I play SGS?
      QUICK MONEY With our two chances to make money – half-time and full-time – you might win money in just 45 minutes!
      TWO LIVES You get not one, but two lives as you chase down the cash!
      BEAT THE REST Test your knowledge against our thousands-strong community
      LIVE EXPERIENCE See your rivals eliminated and the prize pool increase during the match
      What’s the best way to follow SGS?
      Follow along live with us!
      Sign-in to your account and track all the key moments via our live tracker to see how they affect you and your rivals.
      You’ll also be able to see how the cash pot rises as players get knocked out!
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      Play Single Game Survivor for Liverpool v Real Madrid by grabbing your entries by Tuesday, 21 February at 8pm.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR FOR LIVERPOOL V REAL MADRID TONIGHT! More

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      More trouble for Graham Potter as Champions League rivals Borussia Dortmund are ONLY team in Europe with impressive stat

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      PRESSURE is piling onto Chelsea boss Graham Potter, and an impressive stat boasted by Borussia Dortmund does not bode well for him. Chelsea are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Germans in the first leg of their last 16 clash.
      Graham Potter is under intense scrutiny at ChelseaCredit: Reuters
      But Borussia Dortmund boast an incredible stat which could prove to be Chelsea’s downfallCredit: Getty
      Chelsea must now overturn that deficit at Stamford Bridge on March 7.
      However, it could prove to be too tough a task for the out-of-form Blues, with Borussia Dortmund flying high in 2023.
      The German title challengers are the only side in Europe’s Top 10 leagues to have kept up a 100 per cent record in all competitions since the turn of the year.
      They have won eight games from games in all competitions, and are now level on points with Bayern Munich and Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga.
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      Strike starlet Karim Adeyemi, who scored against Chelsea in the first leg, has been ruled out of the second leg.
      Despite this, Dortmund will not necessarily be weaker by his absence, with English wonderkid Jamie Bynoe-Gittens – dubbed the next Jadon Sancho – set to replace him in the line-up.
      Chelsea’s horror run continued at the weekend when James Ward-Prowse’s stunning free-kick earned Southampton a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
      Potter, who now sports the WORST record of any manager in Chelsea’s Premier League history, came under fire for his team selection in the fixture.
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      The ex-Brighton boss was questioned for starting kid David Datro Fofana, despite splashing £600million on new transfers.
      Thus far, Potter has been backed by owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, with the owners appreciating Potter has had to work with an injury-ravaged squad since replacing Thomas Tuchel in the dugout. More

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      Liverpool will need to help Alexander-Arnold in Vinicius Jr duel if they are to avoid Champions League final repeat

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      LIVERPOOL are looking to put last year’s Champions League final nightmare behind them as they face Real Madrid once again.Jurgen Klopp claimed it was “torture” even watching the clash in Paris back on video.
      Vinicius Jr will be looking to terrorise Liverpool againCredit: Alamy
      Trent Alexander-Arnold may need some help from team-mates to contain ViniciusCredit: Getty
      The defeat was all the more agonising for the fact that the Reds dominated most of the match while Carlo Ancelotti’s side relied on an inspired Thibaut Courtois to see them through.
      But there was one individual battle in which Liverpool will have to do better this time around.
      Despite Karim Benzema winning the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius Jr was the key man in the French capital back in May.
      The Brazilian scored the only goal as he stole in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, who appeared not to anticipate his run.
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      Former Reds boss Rafa Benitez knows a thing or two about beating Real Madrid, having secured a whopping 5-0 aggregate win in 2009.
      And he says the Reds holding midfielders and centre-backs will be key in stopping Vinicius.
      Benitez told The Times: “Vinicius Jr scored at the far post ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, but it is unfair to blame the Liverpool defender for the outcome that night.
      “If you look at the build-up, Real beat Liverpool’s press a number of times. This was not a goal where one player was caught out.
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      Vinicius Jr’s heat map from Real Madrid’s last game against Osasuna
      Trent Alexander-Arnold’s heat map from Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Newcastle
      “Vinicius can follow his rival, Alexander-Arnold, but he will not do that all game because it is not his mentality.
      “So if Real regain the ball and can then avoid the first pressing line of Liverpool, there could be a big gap for them to exploit.
      “Liverpool will know that this means the centre-back, Joel Matip or Joe Gomez, or the right-sided central midfielder, Jordan Henderson, must be alert to protect this space.
      “Also, when both teams play 4-3-3, the holding midfielder is an important position.
      “The player is free sometimes and both teams will want someone dropping into the No6 role and trying to disrupt their rhythm.
      “Real manage the ball well and can be dangerous on the counter-attack because they have pace and they are precise.
      “But if Liverpool can regain the ball quickly, that will make it very difficult.”
      Benitez also feels Stefan Bajcetic could prove an unknown quantity and secret weapon for Liverpool against Real Madrid.
      Read More on The Sun
      He said of the Spaniard: “From the displays I have seen, he is tactically good, takes up good positions in midfield and can anticipate what is going on.
      “He will help Liverpool’s press.”
      Vinicius Jr has a fantastic record in the Champions League so far this season
      Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a little less impressive, as Liverpool finished second in their group to Napoli More