Paul Gorst - Desperate times call for desperate measures
So Mission Impossible awaits Liverpool tonight. Can they pull off a result that would rank alongside any other comeback that you care to mention?
The absence of Stefan Bajcetic is a major blow for the Reds and that fact alone highlights a multitude of problems for Jurgen Klopp given the 18-year-old's recent rise to prominence. But we're not going to open that can of midfield recruitment worms here.
Instead, we're going to go for a bold, new attacking line-up that has rarely been used from the start for Klopp. He needs goals tonight, so let's get the match-winners in the team then, eh.
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The back five remains unchanged from the defeat to Bournemouth as Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson are named.
In midfield, no Jordan Henderson or Bajcetic means Fabinho is paired with James Milner in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It might be risky to go with just two against the wily veterans of Madrid's midfield, but desperate times call for desperate measures and this team at least packs a punch in the final third.
Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota are up top with Cody Gakpo roving in a sort-of-No.10 role. He can dovetail with Jota and interchange in a fluid and exciting-looking frontline.
They couldn't, could they?
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez; Jota.
Ian Doyle - A fair few changes
As someone possibly fictional declared: if you gotta go, go with a smile.
And as Liverpool face up to the likelihood of Champions League elimination at Real Madrid this evening, they'll be expected to depart having given supporters some real encouragement after the misery of Bournemouth at the weekend.
For that, there will be changes. But how many? A fair few if I was in charge.
Not in goal, though. That's Alisson Becker. The centre-backs remain the same in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but I'd have Joe Gomez come in at right-back. Andy Robertson is on the left.
Midfield is a tricky one given the absences. Fabinho has to start as the anchor, and Harvey Elliott can provide some legs. I'd also begin with James Milner on the basis he will be replaced by the hour - it's better to have him help negotiate through the opening stages.
And there is rotation up top, too. Mohamed Salah stays on the right, but Roberto Firmino is down the middle and Diogo Jota on the left. Again, it's so Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo can offer different threats in the second half.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Jota.
Mark Wakefield - Roberto Firmino has to start
Let’s be honest, the chances of Liverpool getting a result that sees them knock Real Madrid is quite slim - but you still have to try.
Jurgen Klopp will certainly be sending that message to his players. And with that in mind, and with the Reds not in action for another 17 days after tonight’s match, the best and most attack-minded team has to start.
One of the main problems against Bournemouth was a lack of ball retention and frequently making silly passes. As a result, Roberto Firmino has to start for me, in order to try and make sure Liverpool maintain possession in the middle of the park. However, I’m going with a 4-2-3-1 formation, so that would see him in a No.10 style role behind the main striker.
The midfield two I’ve gone with is Fabinho and James Milner, purely due to a lack of availability from the other members of the squad like Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic.
The back five picks itself - Alisson Becker, followed by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. But up front is where the main question lies.
Who gets dropped out of the four other forwards that are available? It’s not going to be Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo is an influential player on the left wing, so has to start for me.
That leaves the main striker going to either Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota. I’ve gone with Nunez, who is certainly capable of causing the Madrid defence all kinds of problems, just as he did in the opening 20 minutes of the first leg.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Gakpo; Nunez.
Stephen Killen - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should line-up alongside Fabinho and Harvey Elliott
It's the hope that kills you with Liverpool Football Club and even with the aggregate score at 5-2, and with the tie tipped in Real Madrid's favour, there is still a glimmer.
Changes are enforced but not at the back with Alisson Becker continuing in goal alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's time at Liverpool is seemingly ticking to its end but there's time to further assert himself in the folklore, he should line-up alongside Fabinho with Harvey Elliott on the left of the midfield three.
With a long way still to go in the tie, options off the bench are crucial. One can quickly become two as we witnessed in the first leg. Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez to keep their place.
For any attacking introductions, midfielders and defenders must be sacrificed unless it is crucial that any of the starting trio have to come off.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
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