The match bears additional gravity with Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold making his return to Anfield after leaving Liverpool over the summer. Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool's youth academy when he was six years old and played nine seasons with the senior team, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.

A mural of Trent Alexander-Arnold was defaced ahead of his return to Liverpool with Real Madrid on Tuesday. The word “rat” was repeatedly daubed over the artwork, located near Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.

As Liverpool get set to take on Real Madrid later tonight at Anfield, reports in Spain earlier today claimed that the Reds’ captain, Virgil van Dijk, was eager to join Real Madrid last summer.It

Slot confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson, right-back Jeremie Frimpong and striker Alexander Isak are all out for Tuesday's match, with the former two also unavailable for Sunday's game at Manchester City. He said Sweden striker Isak will "definitely not start" at the weekend but could be in the squad.