Liverpool FC v Real Madrid: how the midfields compare before the Champions League clash 21 October 2014 02:55 PM By David Triggs Continuing our look at how Liverpool and Real Madrid match up, it is time to focus on the midfield battle How does Liverpools midfield compare to Real Madrids? The arrival of Real Madrid will prove to be one of Anfield’s most memorable nights. The current Champions League holders, and 10-time winners of the trophy overall, are one of the most attractive sides in Europe with manager Carlo Ancelotti one of the most successful of all time. Liverpool have a task on their hands on Wednesday, undoubtedly. But how do they measure up against Real’s Galacticos? The ECHO will be comparing defences (including goalkeepers), midfields and attacks before of the big game. All players included are in a projected starting line-up with known injuries considered – so no Gareth Bale, thankfully. Of course, such is the depth of the two squads, and varying tactical shapes deployed by both managers this season, they may be different come Wednesday night. Steven Gerrard v Toni Kroos Gerrard may not have been at his best this season, but he has often saved his finest performances in red for the European stage. Still the leader of the Reds’ midfield pack at the age of 34, he will come up against a man 10 years his junior - a player who was one of the architects of Germany’s summer World Cup win. Toni Kroos is at the peak of his powers. Days after helping his country reach the summit of world football in Brazil, he left Bayern Munich and signed for Real in a deal reported to be worth up to 30m euros. The ninth German player to pull on the famous white shirt, Kroos has played more minutes in La Liga this season (684) than anyone else in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, registering four assists though he is yet to score. His laser-guided passing and ability to chip in with goals and assists at vital times is reminiscent of Gerrard, although the German cuts a more languid figure than the Reds skipper in his barnstorming Anfield prime. Gerrard’s reinvention as a holding midfield player (Sunday’s return to a more advanced position at QPR was abandoned early) led to him being labelled as the best in that position by Brendan Rodgers as recently as April. Games like Wednesday’s give him the chance to prove it. Statistic: There aren’t many midfielder’s in Europe with a better passing success rate than Kroos. He has found his target with 94.8% of his passes this season, compared to 86.6% from. Gerrard. But the former England skipper leads the way 3-0 when it comes to goals scored. Joe Allen v Luka Modric This battle could be one on the more intriguing subplots to Wednesday’s Anfield showdown. Allen has been sorely missed by the Reds since being injured on international duty, but played for the final half-hour at QPR on Sunday and is firmly back in the selection frame to face Madrid. If Brendan Rodgers goes for a 4-2-3-1 formation, Allen could find himself lining up alongside Gerrard and coming into conflict with Kroos and fellow playmaker Modric. With Xabi Alonso shipped to Bayern Munich, the Croatian - now in his third season with Real - has been the regular partner for Kroos this season. The pair are the creative hub of a supremely talented team, and Allen’s industry will be valued as much as his passing ability as the Reds look to put a press on Modric and his German sidekick. Statistic: Modric loves to try his luck from his distance. His long-range strike against Villarreal last month was his seventh from outside the box for Real. Jordan Henderson v Isco Isco shone in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Levante, helping himself to a goal and an assist which might just earn him a place in Real’s midfield for the trip to Anfield. Gareth Bale’s injury, of course, only enhances his chances of finding a place somewhere in Ancelotti’s starting line up. Usually deployed to the left in an attacking midfield role, Isco has started
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:30:56 +0000
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