“Litmus test” – Spanish media hype up Liverpool vs Real Madrid, Reds need to beware old foe

Real Madrid’s trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool tonight will be a “litmus test” for Xabi Alonso’s developing project at the club.

That’s according to journalist Edu Aguirre, via Mundo Deportivo. He believes that the Champions League clash will be a test for the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid take on Liverpool this evening looking to continue their strong start to the season. They’ve won ten out of 11 games in La Liga and sit top of the table. They’ve also won all three of their Champions League games to date.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have had a rocky start to the season. They’ve won six and lost four in the Premier League, won two and lost one in the Champions League and been knocked out of the FA Cup.

Things are not going smoothly for them, but Aguirre believes that they’ll still be a litmus test for Madrid.

“It’s a litmus test for a project that’s working, which is Xabi Alonso’s project,” he said on ‘El Chiringuito de Jugones.’

“They’ve won 13 of their last 14 matches. Liverpool aren’t playing particularly well, but it will be a big game.”

Former Real Madrid man Javi Balboa can also see Madrid heading to Anfield and securing a result. They lost on their last trip last year but won 5-2 on their trip in February 2023.

Balboa had previously predicted Liverpool would be the toughest opponents for Madrid. He, though, appears to have changed that stance.

“It’s true that Liverpool’s form this year hasn’t been positive at all; the manager hasn’t quite found the right formula,” he added.

“And it’s true that when we made our usual predictions for the start of the Champions League, if we thought Real Madrid would drop points against any team in this first phase, I said against Liverpool.

“I said they were the only team I saw that could hurt Real Madrid. But that was before the Champions League started. Now, as the matches have progressed, I think Real Madrid can definitely go there and win.”

Roberto Morales, meanwhile, believes that Liverpool should beware a Real Madrid side who “just keep getting better.”

“It’s the other way around. The rivals are the ones who should be afraid of Real Madrid,” he concluded.

“I think they’re improving a lot, they’re very solid, and they only suffered one major setback at the Metropolitano. The rest have been victories, and they just keep getting better.”