SHAPE OF THE TEAMS AND GET TO THE PLAY OFFS
“Liverpool”
Liverpool made it to the playoffs without any problems, finishing second in the group with Napoli, Ajax and Rangers, but the global problems began a little later, when the Merseysiders frankly went down. For example, most recently, Jurgen Klopp’s wards flew from Wolverhampton (0:3), twice from Brighton with a total score of 1:5, and so on. It is impossible to count all the failures of the Reds this season, but the last few games give hope of a decent resistance in the remainder of the season.
Photo source: IMAGO
The English runners-up had two victories in a row: against Everton (2:0) and against Newcastle (2:0). If they win the third game in a row, it will mark the longest winning streak of the 2022/23 season.
“Real”
Every season, Real Madrid is necessarily included in the list of contenders for the victory in the Champions League, but any series comes to an end. Los Cremosos are having a rather mediocre year in which they have already lost the Spanish Super Cup and have made the fight in La Liga as difficult as possible.
Photo source: Keystone Press Agency
In the last matches of the domestic championship, Real Madrid calmly faced Elche (4:0) and Osasuna (2:0), but both are from the bottom of the table. If you go back a little earlier, a problematic trend is noticeable in matches with strong opponents, even in the Champions League. The Spanish giant won the group but lost to RB Leipzig (1:2) and drew with Shakhtar (1:1). So far, Real Madrid is not convincing.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS
“Liverpool”
Klopp and traditionally are expected to battle injuries throughout the season, but most of the retired players managed to recover in time for the Champions League game. That timely!
Luis Diaz and Arthur definitely can’t help, a couple others are questionable. But the most important thing is that Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and other key players are in the ranks. Especially noteworthy is Cody Gakpo, who has finally adapted to the English league and has scored two goals in the last two days.
“Real”
The main doubt for Real Madrid ahead of the round of 16 of the Champions League is the state of Karim Benzema. The shock striker missed the last game, so Rodrigo came out on the edge of the attack. It is also not known with certainty about Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchuameni and Ferland Mendy. If all the listed players miss the match, Real Madrid’s chances will drop noticeably.
STATISTICS AND FACTS
⦁ Liverpool have gone six straight games without beating Real Madrid (1 draw and 5 losses).
⦁ Real Madrid have only won once in their last seven away games against Premier League teams (D2 L4).
⦁ If Salah scores a goal, he will equal the top African goalscorer in the Champions League, catching up with Didier Drogba (44 goals).
⦁ Benzema has gone 324 minutes without scoring in the Champions League (3.6 games).
⦁ Alisson has not conceded in 13 of 24 matches at Anfield in the Champions League. This is the best result in the history of Liverpool.
⦁ Liverpool have not scored in a single game this season at their stadium.
Real Madrid and Liverpool met in the Champions League final last season. Then the Spaniards were stronger – 1:0.
The match will take place on February 21 at 23:00 Moscow time. You can plunge into the atmosphere of the upcoming fight and follow the match live in the Ligi Stavok application. Here is a broad line and the most interesting results. For all new players, the betting company has prepared a great gift – a bonus of up to 10,000 rubles on the Wheel of Fortune!
