Will there be another crazy crisis?

LIVERPOOL IS ADVANTAGED IN EVERY WAY

Winning like a knife, this is the time when coach Arne Slot's Liverpool is showing its invincibility on all fronts, in excellent condition both mentally and physically. The "FIFA Days" series of matches that the football world at the club level hates so much has not been able to make Liverpool lose its rhythm. After only 12 rounds, Liverpool has created an 8-point gap with defending champion Manchester City in the Premier League. Whether they want it or not, commentators still find it difficult to avoid the unpleasant topic: is it possible to talk about an early championship?

In the Champions League, Liverpool are the only team to have won the tournament outright. In their most recent match, they won 4-0 against Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso - the coach who was expected to be the big man at Anfield to replace Jurgen Klopp (not Slot). It would be a normal thing for any team - even Real Madrid - to lose to Liverpool at Anfield at this point.

Real Madrid (left) need to stop the crisis

The current situation also gives Liverpool an advantage over Real: there is absolutely no pressure. Liverpool's elimination is only theoretical. Coach Slot is completely comfortable with his professional choices: play to win "to gain reputation" against Real, or prioritize winning the decisive match against Manchester City at the weekend? Even if he has determined his mindset to win or draw, Slot still has many different tactical options. Be cautious in defense - counterattack or freely attack.

In theory, the greatest value of the concept of "home advantage" is all the familiarity, leading to the consequence that the home team can easily impose their playing style and easily dominate the game. Unlike Liverpool, Real has no other choice but to aim for victory in this difficult match. And Real is forced to use an attacking style of play. From there, Slot is more favorable in thinking of ways to deal with it.

R EAL IS NO LONGER THEMSELVES

People always say that Real Madrid is the team "with the DNA of winning the Champions League". They are the reigning champions of both the Champions League and La Liga. And when Real star Vinicius Junior was not awarded the 2024 Ballon d'Or, many neutral fans were surprised. But let's face it: Real Madrid are no longer themselves.

Having lost two of their four games, Real are now incredibly lowly: 18th in the 36-team new Champions League standings. Without a win at Liverpool, Real will continue to sink below teams like Lille or Celtic. If they lose, they could be in real danger of a crisis. The defending champions are now just two points above the line of being "eliminated straight after the league stage".

In La Liga, Real lost 0-4 at home to Barcelona. They also lost 1-3 at home to AC Milan in the Champions League. Under normal conditions, Real Madrid cannot be such a team. There must be big reasons why veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti had to give up when he saw the team weakening but still could not fix it. The problem of injuries is the biggest "culprit".

Right now, number 1 star Vinicius has joined the injury list, which already includes David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni, Lucas Vasquez. Real cannot find a replacement when saying goodbye to the passing machine Toni Kroos in midfield. The addition of Kylian Mbappe, up to now, is considered a failed transfer. The French star has been so disappointing that "teacher" Didier Deschamps has had to consider stripping him of the captaincy of the French team.

Steve McManaman is a former player who has been closely associated with both Liverpool and Real Madrid. Since hanging up his boots, he has been following both teams closely. That is why the TV world had to rush to hunt down McManaman for an interview before the big Liverpool - Real match. McManaman's opinion throughout: Liverpool were completely superior before the kick-off!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/se-co-them-mot-con-khung-hoang-dien-ro-185241126204209964.htm