Real Madrid News
Official: Liverpool starting lineup against Real Madrid
Liverpool will be looking for revenge as they host Real Madrid at Anfield tonight. The Reds have not been enjoying the best of domestic seasons so far, but remain undeterred on their path to a possible seventh Champions League title.
Alisson has arguably been Pool’s best player this season, and will lead the charge tonight again, from goal. Virgil van Dijk returns to the team sheet after spending the last few weeks out due to injury. He is aided by Jose Gomez in central defence.
Familiar faces in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson provide width from the back from the right and left, respectively.
Fabinho takes up the responsibility of screening the defence alongside Stefan Bajcetic, while Jordan Henderson will likely start as the most advanced of the three players.
Darwin Nunez has played on the left-wing recently, with Cody Gakpo given the keys to lead the line as the no. 9. Mohamed Salah rounds off what is a very narrow front-three from the right-wing.
⭐ #LIVRMA TEAM NEWS ⭐
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 21, 2023
Our line-up to face @realmadrid tonight in the #UCL last-16 first leg 🔴
Confirmed Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Bajcetic, Fabinho, Henderson; Nunez, Gakpo, Salah
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
