Arnold's emotional return to Anfield is set to take a dramatic twist, with the Real Madrid defender 'highly unlikely' to start against his former club. The 27-year-old, still recovering from a hamstring injury,

Tonight, Liverpool host Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League. As well as a meeting of sporting superpowers, the match will also be contested by two clubs boasting combined commercial income – that’s revenue from sponsorship, retail and events – of £731m.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid is the standout fixture in the Champions League this week and there will be plenty of subplots at play beyond the action on the pitch.

Liverpool are taking on Aston Villa tonight in desperate need to arrest their slump and get their troubled season back on track. Arne Slot’s Premier League champions have lost six of their past seven games in an extraordinary downturn since winning the first five games of the campaign.

The festive calendar has once again offered a reminder that in the Premier League, schedules bend to broadcasters as much as to tradition. Liverpool, champions under Arne Slot last season, will navigate a reshuffled run of fixtures across Christmas and New Year as they push to sustain their title credentials and keep rhythm in a period often defined by fatigue,

Trent will get a good reception from us' - But Arne Slot and Ryan Gravenberch have 'no clue' on how Liverpool fans will react to Alexander-Arnold's return

It means that Liverpool are set to be without six players against Madrid, with Alisson Becker and Jeremie Frimpong (both hamstring) still sidelined as well youngsters Jayden Danns