MADRID: Jurgen Klopp brings Diogo Jota into an attacking Liverpool line-up against Real Madrid in the Champions League as the Reds try to overturn their 5-2 last 16 first leg deficit.
With midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Jordan Henderson injured and ill respectively, Klopp throws caution to the wind and adds Jota to his forward line of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
Real Madrid restore captain Karim Benzema to the side after he missed their La Liga win on Saturday over 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 must settle for a seat on the bench.
Carlo Ancelotti starts with Eduardo Camavinga at the base of the midfield, selected over Aurelien Tchouameni.
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho Fernandez; Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos; Fede Valverde, Karim Benzema (captain), Vinicius Junior
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA)
Liverpool (4-2-4)
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, James Milner (captain); Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota
Coach: Jurgen Klopp (GER)
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER)
Half the team was denied visas without giving any explanation, says PSA Director Tariq Pervez
"I feel like we obviously don't care about losing that series," says former Australian captain
PCB intends to present a firm stance, will seek a written explanation from BCCI detailing their decision, say sources
Men in Green brutally beat hosts UAE in championship final, leading an undefeated campaign in nine-team tournament
Pakistan is prepared to withdraw from playing India in any int'l event unless it reciprocates by visiting country, say...
PM Shehbaz, President Zardari and others congratulate national team on long awaited series win in Australia