Liverpool is set for a major test in the Champions League as they face off against defending champions Real Madrid. The Reds will be looking for their first victory over Madrid since 2009 and a win would see them move to the top of their group. While Madrid have a strong record against Liverpool, the Reds' manager Arne Slot remains confident despite several players being unavailable. With star players like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe still available for Madrid, it promises to be an exciting and challenging game. Get all the latest updates from our reporters live at Anfield.
Liverpool Face Mammoth Clash Against Defending Champions Real Madrid in Champions League
Liverpool is braced for a formidable encounter in the UEFA Champions League as they lock horns with defending champions Real Madrid on Tuesday, November 22nd. The Reds harbor aspirations of securing their first triumph over Madrid since 2009, a victory that would propel them to the summit of their group.
While Real Madrid boasts an impressive track record against Liverpool, the Reds' manager, Arne Slot, exudes confidence despite the unavailability of several key players. Star performers Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe remain at Madrid's disposal, setting the stage for a thrilling and demanding clash.
Historical Rivalry
The rivalry between Liverpool and Real Madrid dates back to the 1981 European Cup final, which Madrid won 1-0. Since then, the two clubs have met on several occasions, with Real Madrid holding a slight advantage.
In recent years, Liverpool has come close to breaking their winless streak against Madrid. In the 2018 Champions League final, they were narrowly defeated 3-1, and in the 2022 final, they fell 1-0.
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Conclusion
Liverpool's clash with Real Madrid promises to be a captivating spectacle that will captivate football fans worldwide. While Madrid possesses a formidable lineup, Liverpool will be eager to prove their mettle and establish themselves as a genuine title contender. With a passionate home crowd behind them, the Reds will believe they can overcome their recent struggles and achieve a historic victory.
Despite his team's poor performance in the Premier League, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim remains optimistic about the year ahead. The Red Devils have had a rough start to 2025, with five league losses in a single month for the first time in over 60 years. However, Amorim expressed his enthusiasm for the team's potential in a New Year's Eve message, acknowledging the hard work that will be needed to improve. Despite facing criticism and discussions about potential relegation, Amorim remains committed to sticking with his 3-4-3 system despite the players' struggles to adapt.
The 78th edition of the Santosh Trophy national football championship saw West Bengal reclaim its position as undisputed champions, clinching the title for a record 33rd time. The match-winner came from Robi Hansda in added time of the second half, securing a 1-0 win for West Bengal against Kerala in an intense final match. The victory was a result of the team's exceptional performance throughout the tournament.
Rising AFL star Calsher Dear has signed a contract extension with the Hawthorn Hawks until 2026, but will unfortunately be starting the new season on the sidelines due to a bone stress injury. The 19-year-old made a strong impression in his debut season, kicking 25 goals in 17 games and earning an AFL Rising Star nomination. Despite his injury setback, Dear has the potential to follow in the footsteps of his father, a former Norm Smith Medallist.
Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen have declared that Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid is inevitable after the Spanish giants made a public approach for the right-back. Despite Liverpool rejecting the approach, the two former players believe it is only a matter of time before Alexander-Arnold joins Madrid, especially with the need for reinforcements in defence due to Dani Carvajal's injury.
Manchester United's recent loss to Newcastle highlights their need for reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window. However, they face competition from Manchester City and Arsenal, who are also looking to catch up in the title race. Meanwhile, teams at the bottom of the table, such as Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City, will also be actively seeking new signings. Stay tuned for live updates on the latest transfer news and rumors on Express Sport.
With the January transfer window approaching, Liverpool is rumored to be eyeing several new signings, including Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi. Speculation also continues around the futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk, who are all out of contract next summer. And according to Michael Owen, Real Madrid may have already held talks with Alexander-Arnold or his representatives about a potential move. Stay tuned for all the latest news, injury updates, and transfer gossip as we enter the new year.
Spanish giants Real Madrid have made an approach to sign Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. With the possibility of a pre-contract in January, Madrid have expressed their interest in the 26-year-old right-back. However, Liverpool have rejected the approach, showing their determination to keep Alexander-Arnold as they continue their pursuit for the Premier League title.
With only six spots left for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, the final round of qualifiers are set to begin in March, 2025. The Football Association of Malaysia has also announced their new head coach, Peter Cklamovski, for the national team. 2024 has seen an eventful year for Asian football with many successful tournaments taking place.
The transfer saga surrounding Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold took another turn as the club reportedly rejected Real Madrid's approach for the right-back in the January transfer window. This comes after speculation that Alexander-Arnold could be joining the Spanish giants on a free transfer in the summer. Despite an initial offer, Liverpool showed little interest in letting go of their star player.
India ended their 2024 calendar year with a mix of successes and failures, highlighted by a T20 World Cup win and a disappointing ODI series loss. Looking ahead to 2025, India will have a packed schedule, starting with a final Test against Australia and then moving on to a limited-overs series against England. They will also prepare for the Champions Trophy, a five-match Test series against England, and a home series against South Africa. In total, India will play 18 T20Is, 9 Tests, and 12 ODIs in bilateral assignments outside of ICC and ACC tournaments.