Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Starting XIs for Champions League clash confirmed

As expected, Karim Benzema has returned to the Real Madrid starting XI after missing their weekend win over Espanyol.

Benzema scored twice in the first leg and so did Vinicius Jr, who also starts.

Antonio Rudiger is the only other change Carlo Ancelotti has made. He replaces Aurelien Tchouameni.

James Milner starts and captains Liverpool at the Bernabeu tonight.

The 37-year-old replaces the injured Stefan Bajcetic who is facing a lengthy spell out due to a stress problem with an adductor.

Diego Jota also comes into the starting XI as Jurgen Klopp makes just two changes for their 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth. He starts instead of Harvey Elliott.

It’s an attacking Liverpool line up with a front four of Jota, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah.

Real Madrid team news

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Krros, Benzema, Modric, Camavinga, Vinicius, Rudiger.

Subs: Lunin, Vallejo, Hazard, Asensio, Odriozola, Vasquez, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Mendy, Mariano, Alvaro.

Liverpool team news

Liverpool: Alisson, Fabinho, Van Dijk, Konate, Milner, Salah, Gakpo, Jota, Robertson, Nunez, Alexander-Arnold.

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, Keita, Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Carvalho, Matip, Williams.