Real Madrid - Liverpool

Liverpool have been far more convincing in Europe than the Premier League and can stay on track to reach a third Champions League final in four years by defeating Real Madrid in Spain.

The quarter-final contest between 13-time winners Real and six-times winners Liverpool has been eagerly anticipated even though neither team have been at their best for much of the campaign.

However, Liverpool s 3-0 success at Arsenal on Saturday was their most convincing performance of 2021 and sets them up perfectly for a crucial stage of the season.

Zinedine Zidane would love to have a fully fit squad but he is without injured captain Sergio Ramos and has to be careful with Eden Hazard, who is closing in on full fitness but hasn t started a game since January.

Liverpool have got used to coping with injuries and remain short of experience in defence without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

But Jurgen Klopp has been getting better at protecting his under-strength rearguard and was hugely satisfied after watching his team cruise to three points at the Emirates on Saturday.

Liverpool have won six of their last seven away matches.