The Real Madrid lineup that should start against Liverpool

While for the spectators it feels like they have one foot in the semi finals, Real Madrid cannot afford to be thinking like that on Wednesday evening.

Los Blancos carved out a solid 3-1 victory in Madrid last week to put all the pressure on Liverpool heading into the second leg of the quarter final, making the most of the home advantage by exploiting a seriously poor performance from the Reds.

Real have now won their last five consecutive games and rallied at the weekend with a Clasico victory that keeps them just one point off the top of La Liga. They cannot take their foot off the gas now, however, and an injury hit squad must see it through on Wednesday.

Here's how they could start.

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) - Despite the defensive line in front of him regularly changing, Courtois remains as reliable as ever in the Real goal.

Alvaro Odriozola (RB) - No Dani Carvajal and now no Lucas Vazquez means 25-year-old Odriozola will have to step up at a vital point in the season for his side. He's in for a busy night, too.

Nacho Fernandez (CB) - The Spaniard has stepped up massively in the absence of Real's usual two central defenders and has proven how reliable he can be in the big moments.

Eder Militao (CB) - Similarly, Militao has impressed when given his opportunities, despite looking destined for an exit from the club just a few months ago.

Ferland Mendy (LB) - Had Trent Alexander-Arnold's number virtually every time he attacked in the first leg, but may have to be a touch more defensive about his work this time out.

2. Midfielders

Casemiro (DM) - The engine at the base of an incredible Real Madrid midfield, there is very little Casemiro can't do.

Toni Kroos (CM) - Put on an absolute passing clinic in the first leg as Liverpool failed to get near him. Kroos is still arguably the best midfielder in the world.

Luka Modric (CM) - Completing the midfield to make a trio that you'd see in your dreams, a 35-year-old Luka Modric continues to be a key cog in the machine at the top level.

3. Forwards

Marco Asensio (RW) - Bagged an important goal to kill off Liverpool last week and has rediscovered his form this season. Asensio starts.

Karim Benzema (ST) - Karim the dream. Arguably the most underrated forward of the last decade, Benzema is key if Real want to push on to the final stages of the competition.

Vinicius Junior (LW) - A fine brace last week from Vinicius is what puts Real in such a strong position for Wednesday. When he finds his finishing touch, the Brazilian is frighteningly good. It just needs to be a little more often.