Champions League Prediction: Liverpool Plot Revenge as Real Madrid March into Anfield

Two continental giants meet at Anfield on Tuesday night in the Champions League group phase, with qualification momentum on the line for hosts Liverpool and visitors Real Madrid.

The stakes are clear, with the league-phase table tightening and the margin for error shrinking for teams chasing the automatic last-16 berths. Liverpool restored some rhythm at the weekend and now seek a statement home result, while Real Madrid arrive carrying the swagger of domestic dominance and a perfect European record. The Champions League spotlight will be fierce, and both camps know how quickly early-stage form can flip in this competition.

Form and context

Anfield’s European aura remains formidable, and recent group-stage trends underline that advantage for the Reds. The hosts expect their core to carry the load, with leaders like Mohamed Salah, organiser Virgil van Dijk, and conductor Alexis Mac Allister central to a front-foot approach that aims to pin Madrid back and feed quick runners between the lines.

For the visitors, control and incision are the watchwords. Jude Bellingham knits phases together, wide threat Vinícius Júnior stretches defences, and elite finisher Kylian Mbappé punishes any lapse. Madrid’s recent domestic wins have blended patience with sudden pace, a balance that travels well if the midfield wins second balls and the back line holds its shape.

Set-plays could tilt margins. Liverpool’s delivery towards Virgil van Dijk remains a reliable route, with Andy Robertson supplying quick restarts and varied angles, while Madrid carry aerial danger through Éder Militão and late-area surges from Jude Bellingham. The first contact on corners and free-kicks may decide territory and tempo.

Watch the Reds in training live at the AXA Training Centre ahead of tomorrow’s #UCL clash with Real Madrid 🔴💫 https://t.co/TESuLyyLAR

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 3, 2025

Team news and likely approach

Arne Slot will weigh continuity after a morale-boosting league win. Expect a compact press from a midfield anchored by Alexis Mac Allister, right-side rotations that free Mohamed Salah, and penalty-area craft from Cody Gakpo or a mobile nine.

Managing transitions, especially the space behind advanced full-backs, will be the non-negotiable.
Xabi Alonso’s visitors typically build through a calm first phase, then accelerate via Jude Bellingham and the diagonal threat to Vinícius Júnior, with Kylian Mbappé attacking the blindside. Defensive absences have forced tweaks this autumn, so Madrid may favour a slightly deeper block at Anfield, trusting counters and individual quality to land the decisive blow.

Prediction: a tight contest that hinges on the first goal. If Liverpool score early, their press and crowd can snowball. If Madrid strike first, their control game usually suffocates the chase. Edge, narrowly, to the visitors: Liverpool 1-2 Real Madrid.