Overview
- The Group-stage fixture at Anfield kicks off at 21:00 local time (Movistar Liga de Campeones).
- Xabi Alonso described the game as “a classic” of European football and said he aims to distance himself from the emotion of his Liverpool homecoming.
- At Alonso’s request, Real Madrid skipped the customary stadium session and held their final training behind closed doors in Valdebebas to avoid cameras.
- Following the pre-match media duties, Alonso, Emilio Butragueño, Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold placed flowers at the Anfield memorial for Diogo Jota and André Silva.
- Alexander-Arnold added a PlayStation controller with a handwritten message to Jota; he traveled with Madrid and is expected to be a substitute, while Mastantuono, Alaba, Rüdiger and Carvajal are out.