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Raheem Sterling-Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers and Raheem Sterling will be key to Liverpool's success against Real Madrid Getty

Liverpool welcome reigning European champions Real Madrid to Anfield for their third Champions League group game on Wednesday 22 October.

Where to Watch

The kick-off is set for 7.45pm BST. Live coverage of the match will be available on Sky Sports 5 and Sky Sports 5 HD.

Overview

Liverpool welcome the reigning and 10-time European champions to Anfield in what is the most highly anticipated clash between two of Europe's traditional giants.

Liverpool are in the competition for the first time since 2009 and have struggled to get going in their opening two games. They managed an unconvincing win against Ludogorets from Bulgaria and lost to FC Basel in Switzerland.

This is one of the most awaited games following the loss and the Reds will be keen to assert their power and take advantage of home conditions. A win against Real Madrid will give them a massive boost for the season ahead.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is getting ready to manage one of the most high-profile games of his career and will be keen to underline his potential as a top-class manager when he comes up against experienced campaigner Carlo Ancelotti in the opposite dugout.

The Reds will be without injured striker Daniel Sturridge, but otherwise have a full squad to choose from. Mario Balotelli could be set to get another run out, despite his poor performances of late.

Gareth Bale-Cristiano Ronaldo
With Gareth Bale injured all the focus will be on Cristiano Ronaldo Getty

Meanwhile, Real Madrid come into the game in blistering form. They have won both their group games and have also been impressive in the La Liga recently.

Cristiano Ronaldo is at the top of his game and will be looking to continue his good form against the Reds, who were his arch rivals during his days with Manchester United. The Portuguese winger has never scored against Liverpool and will want to change that statistic before the end of the night.

Ancelotti is an experienced manager when it comes to the Champions League. He has come up against Liverpool twice before in the competition, when he was in charge of AC Milan: they lost to Liverpool in the 2005 final but exacted revenge by beating the Reds in the 2007 final.

The Italian manager will be without a few key players, with Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos remaining in Spain with injuries and he could also be without Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema, who are doubtful for the clash.

The last time the two teams faced each other during the 2008/09 campaign, Liverpool, who were managed by Rafael Benitez came out 5-0 aggregate winners in a round of 16 clash.

What Managers Say

Brendan Rodgers: "[Cristiano Ronaldo] is a player off the charts. His evolution in recent years, the way how he has become a goalscorer has been amazing. We need to know to stop him but there is danger in other parts of the field. You have [Luka] Modric, [Toni] Kroos - wonderful technicians who can play short, long."

Carlo Ancelotti: "When we play I will go out early at Anfield because I want to hear fans sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. It gives me so much emotion. I go on the internet and I listen to it and I make friends watch it. It's really unique. Really."

Betting Odds (888Sport.com)

  • Liverpool to win: 17/5
  • Draw: 29/10
  • Real Madrid to win: 4/5

Team News

Liverpool

  • Injured: Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Enrique; Allen, Henderson, Gerrard; Sterling, Balotelli, Lallana

Real Madrid

  • Injured: Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, Sami Khedira, Jese Rodriguez
  • Doubtful: Karim Benzema, Raphael Varane
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Casillas; Carvajal, Fernandez, Pepe, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; James, Benzema, Ronaldo

Liverpool FC Real Madrid Champions League Cristiano Ronaldo