Jota adds firepower to Liverpool’s attack vs Real Madrid
Madrid: Jurgen Klopp has included Diego Jota. of Liverpool Offensive lineup against Real Madrid 5-2 in the Champions League as the Reds look to overturn their last 16 first leg deficit.
With midfielders Stefan Bajsic and Jordan Henderson injured and ill respectively, Klopp threw caution to the wind and added Jota to his forward line. Muhammad SalahDarwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
Real Madrid Restore captain Karim Benzema to the squad after he missed Saturday’s La Liga win against Espanyol with an ankle problem.
He joins Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde in attack for the record 14-time champions, who beat Liverpool in last season’s final, while Rodrygo will have to settle for a seat on the bench.
Carlo Ancelotti starts at the base of midfield with Eduardo Camavanga, who was selected over Aurelian Chauminy.
Starting Lineup:
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho Fernandez; Eduardo Camavanga, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos; Fed Valverde, Karim Benzema (capt), Vinicius Jr
coach: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA)
Liverpool (4-2-4)
Alison Baker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahim Connett, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, James Milner (capt); Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Diego Jota
coach: Jurgen Klopp (GER)
The referee: Felix Zwer (GER)