How Real Madrid could line up against Liverpool

David Alaba is expected to miss out with the thigh injury he sustained in the 5-2 mauling in the first leg, but Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy were both back in team training over the weekend.

Mendy has been out since January with a hamstring issue, and while Ancelotti has confirmed that he should be fit for this one, the wily coach may avoid risking him from the first whistle, especially with a three-goal cushion.

Nacho Fernandez could therefore force makeshift defender Eduardo Camavinga out of the side to start on the left, allowing Antonio Rudiger to come back in alongside Eder Militao.

Thibaut Courtois's first-leg blunder thankfully did not prove costly for the Belgian, who will complete the backline alongside Dani Carvajal, and stellar protection should be offered in the form of Aurelien Tchouameni.

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were both taken off before the 75-minute mark against Espanyol and should be fine to retain their places here, thereby allowing Federico Valverde to hold his place out wide.

Scorers of braces at Anfield, the fit-again Benzema and Vinicius Junior should link up with the Uruguayan in a fear-inducing front three, thus demoting Rodrygo to a familiar super-sub role despite his appearance from the off at Anfield.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr