Paul Gorst: Jurgen Klopp was coy about the prospect of starting both Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in a bold attacking lineup tonight.
But while the Liverpool boss is right in his insistence that the 4-2-3-1 “looked really good” in the final half hour against Arsenal, it’s Firmino who drops out for me this evening.
With 18 goals for club and country this season, including three in his last two Liverpool appearances, the Portuguese has to lead the line in Madrid.
That will mean a recall for Gini Wijnaldum alongside Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara. The midfield battle will be pivotal at the Di Stefano Stadium, so three Champions League winners in there won’t hurt.
Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips, of course, get the chance to try and go four games without conceding as a partnership.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Phillips, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Jota, Mane.
'Two selection issues to solve'
Ian Doyle: Is there anything better than a Champions League quarter-final at Real Madrid?
Well, playing it at the Bernabeu would improve matters. As would actually having supporters in the stadium to see it.
No matter. Life is what it is right now and Jurgen Klopp will be fathoming out a way to keep Liverpool's unlikely European run going.
There are only really two selection issues for the Reds boss.
The defence is, well, the defence. And after three successive clean sheets, the back five - including goalkeeper Alisson Becker - will have their toughest test yet.
In midfield, Gini Wijnaldum should return having been given a rare breather in the win at Arsenal on Saturday. Fabinho is a definite against his old club, while Thiago Alcantara - a former Barcelona man, don't forget - has very much found the Champions League to his liking.
What, then, to do with Diogo Jota?
Leave him on the bench, that's what. With five substitutions permitted, Liverpool suddenly have an impressive number of options - provided none of the defenders get injured, of course.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
'Diogo Jota can do damage from the bench'
Joe Rimmer: If the win over Arsenal, coupled with other results at the weekend, breathed new life into Liverpool's season then victory at Real Madrid can really give it lift off.
And for once, Jurgen Klopp has the type of selection dilemma that he'll have wanted all season.
The defence and goalkeeper remain the same, and the midfield duo of Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are both certainties.
There are a number of players vying for the final spot including Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.
But having had a rare break against Arsenal, it makes most sense to bring Gini Wijnaldum back into Liverpool's midfield.
That leaves a tricky dilemma up front after Diogo Jota's double on Saturday. I had been tempted to throw him in alongside Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in a fearsome foursome, but instead I'm leaving him on the bench again.
It might sound strange but I feel as though he could really hurt Real Madrid by not starting and instead coming on late to have an impact like he did at Arsenal.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
