Two of the betting favourites for the whole competition are set to clash at the famous Anfield Stadium as Real Madrid travel to England for a visit with Liverpool in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Much of the focus will be on former Liverpool player Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returns to Anfield for a visit with his former club after departing on a free transfer in acrimonious circumstances over the summer.
Yet there is much more to pick out of this meeting than the left-back’s prospects. Indeed, this match could even theoretically present an early look at a possible semifinal or even final clash down the road next spring.
After winning the Premier League title last season, Liverpool have struggled to start the new campaign, sitting third in the English top flight table. Manager Arne Slot has come under pressure after the club suffered through a four-match league losing streak, only reversed by a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa last time out, which lifted the club from a dubious ninth-placed standing.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are in the opposite situation. A trophy-less season last year saw the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s time in charge of the club, and Xabi Alonso was installed to take his place. The Spaniard has been an instant hit at the Bernabeu, with the club holding an early five-point lead at the top of the La Liga table plus a perfect record through three Champions League matches.
MORE: Liverpool team news, injuries, predicted lineup | Real Madrid team news, injuries, predicted lineup
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Real Madrid (+155 on DraftKings)
- Score prediction: Liverpool 0-2 Real Madrid
This match couldn’t come at a worse time for Liverpool. Amidst a very poor run of form, they now must welcome a Real Madrid side firing on all cylinders to Anfield.
The Reds have a tactical mess on their hands, one which cannot be solved in just one game. They looked better in the win over Aston Villa last time out, but that does not mean they have turned a corner. Dominik Szoboszlai has cooked in recent weeks, but the rest of their playmakers are struggling for consistency.
Madrid, meanwhile, are absolutely steamrolling everyone in their path under Xabi Alonso. The optics aren’t always delightful, as the former Bayer Leverkusen boss prioritises control over excitement. It will be exceedingly difficult for Liverpool to create chances against this Real Madrid side, which has proven press resistant and stout at the back.
MORE: Why Vinicius Jr. is frustrated with his playing time under Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid
| DraftKings (USA) |
|
| Liverpool win | +150 |
| Draw | +285 |
| Real Madrid win | +155 |
| Both teams to score |
Y: -275 N: +210 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals |
O: +100 U: -130 |
| Liverpool -0.5 goals |
+135 |
| Real Madrid +0.5 goals |
-190 |
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid match facts
- Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
- Location: Anfield Stadium (Liverpool, England)
- Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROM)
- Last meeting: Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid (Nov. 24, 2024 | Champions League)
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid best bet
- Pick: Both teams to score — NO
- Odds: +210 (DraftKings)
- Pick: Under 2.5 total goals
- Odds: +190 (DraftKings)
While the betting world still believes these teams are aligned to produce more multi-goal thrillers, the truth is that this game is primed for a grinder.
Even in the days of attacking onslaughts, these two sides have seen just 11 total goals across the last five meetings between them. Seven of those were scored in one match, a 5-2 Real Madrid win here at Anfield back in February of 2023, meaning the other four saw just four total goals.
This season, with Liverpool’s attacking difficulties and Real Madrid’s defensive mentality, there’s even more reason to jump on these two selections with plenty of juice. Madrid have conceded just one goal on 1.75 expected goals through their three Champions League matches thus far, and they held attack-minded Barcelona to just one goal on 1.03 xG in their recent Clasico win.
Liverpool are third in the Premier League in expected goals, but they are a volume team rather than an efficient one, which will not play well against a Real Madrid side which limits chances well. Xabi Alonso has a preference of pushing for a one- or two-goal advantage before sitting on it and killing off the game. Expect him to attempt the same here.
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid prop bet
- Pick: Kylian Mbappe anytime goal scorer
- Odds: +100 (DraftKings)
There are two attacking units in the world right now built to generate chances for one player: Man City for Erling Haaland, and Real Madrid for Kylian Mbappe.
Everything in the Real Madrid buildup is formulated specifically to give Mbappe as many opportunities as possible in front of goal. In short, a shot not taken by the Frenchman is a waste, because Mbappe could have taken the shot instead.
Mbappe has scored at Anfield before, coming for PSG in a 3-2 defeat back in 2018, and he will be primed to do so again here. The 26-year-old has scored in 12 of his 14 games this season, so far, and as such, even money odds are an absolute steal. Take it and run to the bank.
