Jurgen Klopp has introduced Diogo Jota into Liverpool’s attacking line‑up for the Champions League clash with Real Madrid, as the Reds seek to overturn a 5‑2 deficit from the first‑leg of the last‑16 tie. With midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Jordan Henderson unavailable due to injury and illness, Klopp abandons caution and adds Jota to a forward line that already includes Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have restored captain Karim Benzema to the squad after he missed their recent La Liga victory over Espanyol because of an ankle problem. Benzema joins Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde in the attack for the record‑14‑time champions, who defeated Liverpool in last season’s final. Rodrygo will remain on the bench.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted for Eduardo Camavinga as the base of his midfield, preferring him over Aurélien Tchouaméni. The starting line‑ups are as follows:
**Real Madrid (4‑3‑3)** – Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Nacho Fernández; Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos; Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema (captain), Vinícius Júnior. Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA).
**Liverpool (4‑2‑4)** – Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander‑Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, James Milner (captain); Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota. Coach: Jürgen Klopp (GER).
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER). AFP
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