Welcome to our live blog previewing Liverpool's mouthwatering Champions League tie against Real Madrid with fan photos and coverage from the city centre.
Jurgen Klopp's side welcome the reigning Spanish, Europe and World champions to Anfield as they seek revenge for their 2018 and 2022 final defeats.
Having beaten Newcastle United and Everton in their last two outings, the Reds are slowly starting to find their groove after a disappointing start to 2023.
We will be bringing you all the build-up to tonight's tie live from town, with ECHO reporters placed at Mathew Street and other landmarks across the city speaking to supporters from both sides.
Fans can watch the game using a BT Sport Pass here.
Get involved and send your thoughts to @LivEchoLFC.
And don't forget to subscribe to our free Liverpool FC newsletter, our YouTube channel and listen to our Blood Red Podcast, with all your favourite ECHO regulars including Paul Gorst, Ian Doyle, Joe Rimmer, Sean Bradbury, Theo Squires, Richard Garnett, Mark Wakefield, Tom Cavilla, Charlotte Coates and Keifer MacDonald.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid LIVE
It's now time to head over to our dedicated LIVE blog for tonight's match.
Ian Doyle, Paul Gorst and Theo Squires will be at Anfield to provide updates for the ECHO from Liverpool vs Real Madrid.
Real Madrid line-up confirmed
Real Madrid have confirmed their starting line-up to face Liverpool in the Champions League.
Real Madrid line-up: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Subs: Lunin; Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Lucas Vazquez; Kroos, Ceballos, Martin, Arribas; Hazard, Asensio, Alvaro.
Real Madrid key man flies in hours before Liverpool clash as squad change made
Real Madrid have confirmed the late addition of Toni Kroos to their squad to face Liverpool tonight in the Champions League.
Madrid have released a statement mere hours before kick-off at Anfield confirming that Kroos has not only travelled to Liverpool, but will be in the squad to face the Reds tonight.
“Toni Kroos has joined Real Madrid’s squad for tonight's match against Liverpool, corresponding to the first leg of the Champions League round of 16,” their statement read.
“The German joins the list of players available by Carlo Ancelotti for the match at Anfield.”
Take our Liverpool European famous commentary quiz
The ECHO has taken a trip down memory lane and pulled out 10 moments from Liverpool's illustrious European history.
Now we are testing your knowledge by asking you to match the famous commentary to the event they are describing. There are 10 questions, with three multiple choice answers, and you can take the quiz below.
Concert Square filling up nicely
Real Madrid fans making themselves known at a concert square ahead of tonight’s #UCL game @LivEchoLFC pic.twitter.com/1R6RLi7EK2
— Dan Hickey (@danhickey26) February 21, 2023
More Madrid
Pedro and Lucas! #HalaMadrid @LivEchoLFC pic.twitter.com/q9TDtY0ENB
— Harry Welch (@HWelchPro) February 21, 2023
Two-time World Cup winner Roberto Carlos spotted in SGT Peppers
The 2002 World Cup winner has been spotted in Mathew Street according to numerous sources.
The best I got was a quarter of his baldy head going into that st. peppers pic.twitter.com/9mRUJ6KnvJ
— Andy (@_Andy_98_) February 21, 2023
Madrid fans soaking in the landmarks
Madrid fan pose next to the John Lennon statue on Matthew St.! @LivEchoLFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/vuNYBRv6x8
— Harry Welch (@HWelchPro) February 21, 2023
Real Madrid fans arrive in Liverpool
Plenty of pics already in from our photographer Colin Lane as the Madrid fans making their way to Liverpool.
Atmosphere is building nicely in town - should be a cracker at Anfield tonight!
Fireworks set off in early hours next to Real Madrid hotel in Liverpool
Fireworks were set off outside a hotel where Real Madrid players were staying ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool FC.
Videos shared on Twitter showed numerous fireworks being set off in close proximity to the INNSiDe Hotel on Old Hall Street in the early hours of Tuesday. Police confirmed they attended the scene at around 12.55am.
Real Madrid players arrived at the four-star hotel on Monday at around 1pm. One video shared by El Partidazo de COPE, a leading sports podcaster in Spain, showed a stream of loud fireworks going off for more than 30 seconds.
Read the full story, here.
Good afternoon, Reds!
Good afternoon, Reds!
How are the nerves? We're less than eight hours away from kick-off at Anfield and we'll be bringing you all the live coverage from across the city from both sets of supporters.
Our reporters will be positioned in various places across Liverpool, including Mathew Street, to speak to both sets of supporters ahead of the tie.
Stay with us for full coverage.
