Dek
Anfield under the lights, Xabi Alonso on the touchline, and two heavyweights juggling injuries and selection puzzles. Here’s the state of play on tonight’s lineups—what’s confirmed, what’s probable, and when the official XIs drop. [Updated Nov 4, 2025, 19:15 CET / 18:15 GMT]
Key Takeaways
- Official starting XIs are typically released ~60 minutes before kickoff (21:00 CET / 20:00 GMT) via UEFA and the clubs. At the time above, full confirmations were still pending. [1]
- Real Madrid’s squad for the trip is confirmed; István Kovács is the referee. Availability points to a midfield of Tchouaméni–Bellingham–Camavinga and a front line led by Vinícius and Mbappé. [2][3]
- Liverpool’s injury picture: Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong remain out; Ryan Gravenberch is available. Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to continue in goal. [4][5]
- Several reputable outlets list similar “probables,” but be careful: some “confirmed” headlines still show predicted XIs in the body. [6]
Match/Context Essentials
Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase (MD4)
Fixture: Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 — 21:00 CET (Madrid) / 20:00 GMT (Liverpool)
Venue/City: Anfield, Liverpool
Referee: István Kovács (ROU) [3]
Official lineups: usually ~1 hour pre-kickoff via UEFA match centre & club channels. [1]
Probable XIs (subject to official confirmation):
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ékitiké. [6][5][7]
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Militão, Huijsen, Á. Carreras; Tchouaméni, Bellingham, Camavinga; Arda Güler, Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé. [6][2]
Note: swap-ins to watch if plans change late—Trent Alexander-Arnold (Madrid), plus Liverpool tweaks in the front four depending on fitness and roles. [8]
Article Body
Few fixtures carry the emotional voltage of Liverpool vs Real Madrid at Anfield—especially with Xabi Alonso back on Merseyside as Madrid coach. The atmosphere will be febrile, the narratives plentiful, and the selection calls tight. As of early evening local time, the official starting XIs were not yet posted; those drop about an hour before kickoff via UEFA and both clubs’ channels. [1]
Madrid’s traveling party is locked in, and it clarifies much of Alonso’s decision tree. The club’s squad announcement confirms the available core, and the club’s news feed also lists István Kovács as the referee. Bellingham’s recent form, Camavinga’s energy, and Tchouaméni’s control hint at a balanced interior, while the wide threat of Vinícius plus Mbappé’s gravity up front gives Los Blancos a direct outlet if Anfield’s press bites. [2][3]
Liverpool’s medical picture is the other big driver. Arne Slot’s briefing indicated no rapid return for Alisson or Jeremie Frimpong, while Ryan Gravenberch is available. Reporting around the squad suggests Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue in goal, with the familiar back four of Bradley–Konaté–Van Dijk–Robertson. That foundation lets Alexis Mac Allister anchor alongside Gravenberch, freeing Dominik Szoboszlai to connect with Mohamed Salah on the right, Cody Gakpo between lines, and Hugo Ékitiké as the nine. [4][5][7]
One wrinkle to watch: Florian Wirtz, whom Slot publicly backed ahead of this tie after a stop-start domestic bedding-in. Wirtz has been used strategically in Europe; even if he doesn’t start, he’s a credible bench swing to alter tempo and shot creation in the half-spaces. If he’s in the XI, expect Gakpo or Ékitiké’s role to shift to keep the structure intact. [9]
On Madrid’s side, the headline subplot is Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first Anfield appearance as a Real Madrid player. Pre-match talk out of both camps framed him as available; whether he starts or impacts the game from the bench will depend on how Alonso wants to manage transition coverage against Salah and Bradley’s overlaps. If Valverde is used at right-back (as heavily rumored), Madrid get elite defensive range on Salah while keeping a powerful ball-carrier to break pressure. If Alexander-Arnold starts, expect Madrid to lean on rest-defense balance from Tchouaméni and the left-back (Álvaro Carreras) pinching in. [8][6]
Midfield battles decide Anfield nights. Mac Allister’s press resistance vs Bellingham’s ball-winning and forward surges is a marquee duel; Camavinga’s ability to escape pressure could tilt territory if Liverpool trap toward the touchline. For Liverpool, Gravenberch’s selection signals a willingness to carry through pressure rather than only circulate; for Madrid, Güler between the lines would add finesse if he gets the nod over a more vertical right-sider.
In the front lines, Salah vs Carreras/Huijsen is a key geography contest. Madrid can stagger the right-side help (Valverde or Trent) and bump Tchouaméni across when Salah drifts infield, but that opens space for Robertson’s underlaps. Conversely, Liverpool must plan for Vinícius isolations—he has a storied record against the Reds, and Madrid often funnel early switches to him to attack the full-back’s footwork and create cut-back lanes. [6]
Set-pieces could swing margins. Without Alisson’s command, Liverpool must ensure first contact on Madrid’s near-post runs (Militão is the obvious aerial threat if fully sharp). At the other end, Van Dijk vs a still-gelling Madrid back line is a mismatch Liverpool will target with Szoboszlai’s deliveries.
What to expect once the XIs are out:
- If Liverpool start Wirtz, Slot is leaning control-and-combination in the right half-space; Gakpo’s movements become the glue.
- If Madrid start Valverde at RB, it’s a signal to dampen Salah and tilt transitions to Vinícius. If Alexander-Arnold starts, Madrid may accept more volatility to gain progressive passing from deep. [8]
- Either way, watch the first 15 minutes: Anfield’s energy correlates with Liverpool’s PPDA dip and shot volume spike in early phases.
When and where to get the official lineups: UEFA’s match centre publishes them first, mirrored quickly by both clubs’ channels. Treat social “graphics” circulating early with caution—some articles have “CONFIRMED” in the headline but list predicted XIs in the copy. Cross-check the UEFA lineups tab and the clubs’ accounts before you share. [1][6]
FAQs
When will the Liverpool vs Real Madrid lineups be official?
About 60 minutes before kickoff (20:00 CET / 19:00 GMT). Check UEFA’s match centre and the clubs’ official feeds for the definitive XIs. [1]
Who’s out for Liverpool?
Per reporting around Slot’s presser, Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong are sidelined; Gravenberch is available. [4]
Who’s the referee?
István Kovács (Romania). [3]
Will Trent Alexander-Arnold start (for Madrid)?
He’s available; decision call for Alonso. Valverde at RB remains a strong alternative in the matchup context. [8]
References
[1] UEFA Match Centre — Liverpool vs Real Madrid (lineups tab & updates). UEFA.com+1
[2] Real Madrid — “Real Madrid squad to face Liverpool” (Nov 3, 2025). Real Madrid CF | Web Oficial
[3] Real Madrid site — homepage news tile noting István Kovács as referee. Real Madrid CF | Web Oficial
[4] Liverpool team-news brief (club site) — injuries & availability ahead of Madrid. Liverpool FC
[5] Liverpool Offside (SBN) — Slot injury updates: Alisson/Frimpong out; Gravenberch available. The Liverpool Offside
[6] Managing Madrid — “CONFIRMED lineups” headline that still lists predicted XIs; use with caution until UEFA posts. Managing Madrid
[7] WhoScored preview — expected Liverpool starters & shape. whoscored.com
[8] Evening Standard — Trent Alexander-Arnold availability/context for selection. The Standard
[9] Guardian — Slot backs Wirtz pre-match; European usage reference. The Guardian
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