Liverpool XI vs. Real Madrid: Starting squad, team updates, injury report amid Wirtz dilemma

Feargal Brennan

Liverpool lineup vs. Real Madrid: Confirmed starting XI, team news, injury list as Slot ponders Wirtz conundrum image

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Liverpool snapped a four-match losing streak in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend.

Arne Slot's men have fared better in Europe so far, with two wins out of three ahead of their showdown with 15-time European champions Real Madrid on Tuesday - read our match prediction here.

It's Liverpool's first Champions League home game since they claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in their tournament opener in September.

Florian Wirtz was back on the bench for the Villa game, and it remains to be seen what part he will play against Madrid and Xabi Alonso, the coach under whom his career ignited at Bayer Leverkusen.

MORE: What's wrong with Liverpool? Why November fixtures will define 2025/26 season

Liverpool's starting XI vs. Real Madrid

Mamardashvili (GK)

Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson

Gravenberch, Mac Allister

Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz

Ekitike

Formation 4-2-3-1

Liverpool team update

Slot's team selection against Aston Villa went back to basics insofar as it looked quite a lot like the team and setup that won the Premier League last season.

Andy Robertson  was preferred to Milos Kerkez  at left-back to bring a little extra defensive solidity, while Dominik Szoboszlai  was stationed in front of Alexis Mac Allister  and Ryan Gravenberch  in midfield.

It was surprising to see Slot make only one substitution during Saturday's match, with Florian Wirtz  replacing  Hugo Ekitike  in the 77th minute. Wirtz comes in as the only change and will nominally start on the left flank, with Cody Gakpo  making way.

MORE: Breaking down the prize money on offer in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League

Klopp's Reds injured

Below is the latest injury picture for Liverpool, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Jones thrives

  • Injury: Muscle
  • Expected return date:  November 4

Slot confirmed Jones asked to come during the 3-2 defeat at Brentford on October 25 after tweaking a muscle.

The midfielder sat out the games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa last week but he returned to first-team training ahead of the Madrid match

Isak's Arrival

  • Injury: Groin
  • Expected return date: Early November 

Slot was keen to play down concerns over his No. 9 after being forced to replace him in Frankfurt. He has missed the past three domestic games.

Unlike Jones, Isak was not present at Monday's open training session.

Frimpong: Jereme

  • Injury: Hamstring
  • Expected return date:  November 22

Frimpong suffered the second hamstring injury of his fledgling Liverpool career in Frankfurt and faces another month on the sidelines as club medics look to get to the bottom of a nagging issue for the former Bayer Leverkusen star.

The home game against Nottingham Forest after the November international break is a possible target.

Alisson Becker stars

  • Injury: Thigh
  • Expected return date:  December 2025

Slot's No. 1 Alisson suffered a thigh injury saving a certain goal in the defeat to Galatasaray at the end of September. The Brazilian could be out until late November or into December.

The summer departure of Caoimhin Kelleher was instantly filled by Mamardashvili, who has picked up after some uneven displays.

Leoni's Giovanni

  • Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
  • Expected return date:  August 2026

Summer signing Leoni suffered a nightmare debut as he horrifically tore an ACL against Southampton. The Italian defender underwent immediate surgery and his campaign has already been cruelly ended.

Liverpool-Real Madrid match info

  • Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
  • Kickoff time: 8 p.m local / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 6 a.m. AEDT (Nov. 5)
  • Location:  Anfield (Liverpool, England)
  • Competition: Champions League, league phase matchweek 4
  • Referee:  Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
  • VAR: Bastian Dankert (Germany)

Liverpool updates & links

Senior Editor