Liverpool & Real Madrid combined XI from most Champions League appearances for clubs

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677 combined games 

©TM/IMAGO

Liverpool welcome Real Madrid to Anfield in the biggest game of matchday five in the Champions League. Arne Slot’s men boast the only unbeaten record in the competition with four wins from four and they also sit eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League. Slot has enjoyed a magnificent start in Merseyside after replacing Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will be targeting a statement win against the holders. 

Meanwhile, Madrid are in serious danger of failing to secure a top eight place in the new league format that guarantees automatic qualification to the last 16. The Spanish giants currently sit 21st in the standings and they face a tricky away trip to Atalanta after facing Liverpool before two home games. Madrid are the kings of the European Cup winning it a record 15 times, while Liverpool are the most successful English club in the competition’s history with six titles to their name. But of the current squads, which players have played the most Champions League games for their club? Let’s find out in our combined XI 

Thibaut Courtois pips Alisson as goalkeeper with the Belgian international playing 50 games for Real Madrid in the Champions League with the Liverpool number 1 on 48. Trent Alexander-Arnold has played the third highest number of games (56) for Liverpool in the competition from the current squad but Dani Carvajal takes the right-back slot on 91 games. Virgil van Dijk and Éder Militão from the centre-back partnership with Andy Robertson edging out Ferland Mendy at left-back by four games. 

As the graphic above illustrates, Luka Modric has played the most games in the competition from either side with 124 and he’s joined in midfield by Madrid teammates Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. Mohamed Salah is only behind Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s record appearance holder in the Champions League and he takes the right-wing slot. Vinicius Jr will miss the Anfield clash due to injury but he features on the left with Rodrygo slotting in upfront despite it being a relatively unnatural position – Darwin Núñez was the top striker with 12 appearances for Liverpool.