Arne Slot's Liverpool face historic challenge as injury-struck Madrid ...

Liverpool, who are truly enjoying life under Dutch head coach Arne Slot, head into the fifth round of the European Champions group phase as the current log leaders. With four games played of the eight that each team will play during this segment of the competition, the Reds have yet to drop any points.

Slot’s men are the only team boasting this honour. But they face their toughest test thus far on Wednesday, 27 November 2024. The Reds will clash with reigning European champions Real Madrid. 

Los Blancos are the most decorated team in the history of the Champions League, with 15 titles. This puts them well clear of the teams in second and third place. AC Milan is second (with seven Champions League trophies) and Liverpool lie in third spot, with one less than their Italian counterparts. 

Toiling Real Madrid

Despite Madrid’s historic success in Europe’s elite club competition, the Spanish side has toiled so far this season. From four games, they have two wins and just as many defeats. It’s hardly the start a team of their aura would have wanted. 

Nevertheless, in the past they have consistently shown that it’s not how you start, but how you finish. A number of times on the way to winning yet another Champions League title, they have not been at their optimum. Yet, they’ve always found a way to conquer Europe. 

Those associated with the club will hope the team can turn the corner. However, high-flying Liverpool will be no pushovers and will fancy their odds even more as Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti grapples with a host of injuries to his key players. 

Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior is the latest Los Blancos star to be sidelined, after suffering a hamstring injury in his side’s 3-0 La Liga win over Leganés this past weekend. 

Vinícius joins the likes of Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba on the sidelines, while players such as Lucas Vazquez, Rodrygo and Aurelien Tchouameni are injury doubts for the battle with the Reds.

One positive for Madrid is how comfortable their forward Kylian Mbappé was versus Leganés. Mbappé played on his favoured left side of attack, with Vinícius — who traditionally plays in that position for Los Blancos — deployed centrally. 

Despite appearing at home on the wing, as opposed to the central role he has struggled in since arriving in Madrid a few months ago, Mbappé says he can be versatile for the benefit of the team.

“I can play in all positions, maybe I’ll play in another one in the next game. I’m ready. It’s the story of my career, playing on the right, in the centre, on the left… I want to play well and score a lot of goals,” said the Frenchman.

Though Liverpool will be eyeing a win on home soil, Madrid, who languish in 18th spot in the 36-team Champions League group phase — will be more desperate to win and climb up the table. 

Only the top eight teams on the table will qualify automatically for the round of 16 at the end of the league phase. Those that finish between ninth and 24th on the table will enter a round of 16 playoff to determine who will join the top eight in the round of 16 proper.  

Arrest the Man City slump

Another team even more desperate to turn the corner is Manchester City. They currently sit just outside the top eight. Depending on results elsewhere, victory in their clash with Dutch side Feyenoord could see them enter the top eight.

However, with the form that Pep Guardiola’s men have displayed in recent weeks, Feyenoord may well come into the fixture confident of piling on even more misery on the 2023 European champions. 

The reigning English champions last won a match on 26 October, when they beat Southampton 1-0. Since then, they’ve played five matches in all competitions, and lost all of them. The most recent defeat was a 4-0 hammering by Tottenham Hotspur in the league. 

This is uncharted territory for serial winner Guardiola, who has never lost this many consecutive games in his managerial career. Nonetheless, he is confident his team can bounce back.          

“I have the feeling that this season we will do very good things. I don’t give up and I have the feeling we will be there. We deserve some patience when we lose games. You are defending a legacy, and that is difficult to handle,” the Spanish tactician said.

“Look at where we’ve come from. It’s so difficult to defend the success we have had, that’s why I’m so relaxed. I learn from these situations, be calm. Sometimes I shout, but the next morning with a coffee, I ask myself why I am shouting? Stay calm,” he said.

Also ravaged by injuries to key players, City will hope for some respite against Feyenoord. Another disappointing display would intensify the pressure on the players and Guardiola. DM

Selected Champions League fixtures:Tuesday, 26 November:

Slovan Bratislava vs AC Milan (7.45pm)

Manchester City vs Feyenoord (10pm)

Barcelona vs Brest (10pm)

Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain (10pm)

Sporting vs Arsenal (10pm)

Wednesday, 27 November

Liverpool vs Real Madrid (10pm)

Aston Villa vs Juventus (10pm)

Dinamo Zagreb vs Borussia Dortmund (10pm)

Celtic vs Club Brugge (10pm)

Monaco vs Benfica (10pm)