The visiting Liverpool fans strike up a song, they're in good voice no matter who Brendan Rodgers has picked tonight. It's a good start from the Reds, they are still popping it around nicely. Cristiano Ronaldo has been very quiet.

Rob in Staffs: Didn't Rodgers 'educate' Balotelli on the culture of the club for swapping shirts at half time a fortnight ago? Perhaps someone should educate Rodgers on the culture of the club now for all but admitting that Liverpool's best team can't beat Madrid so he won't let them try?

Pretty even start at the Emirates as Ibrahima Conte gets a shot away for the Belgians, but Calum Chambers makes a strong block.

Image source, AP

Who's the weak link in the Real Madrid side? Arguably the two full-backs, but they're decent. Three minutes - that's how long before Simon Mignolet has to make a good save, pushing off to his left to save James Rodriguez's dipping 20-yarder.

He scored a beauty at the weekend and that's a good effort too from the Colombian dangerman.

Alan Green
BBC Radio 5 live at the Bernabeu

"If Liverpool are tonked, it's a story. If they lose 2-0, it's a story.

"If they get a draw, what a result.

"If they win - I think I might retire."

Image source, Getty Images

Even a heavy defeat this evening wouldn't signal the end of Liverpool's Champions League story - they can still go through with two wins in their last two games. The men in Red are keeping the ball nicely in the opening stages.

And we are go in London too.

Joe Allen gets us under way...

Image source, PA

Plenty of empty seats at the Emirates tonight - has the Champions League lost its lustre all of a sudden?

Don Limani:, external For Rodgers to have the cheek to say he's fielded a strong team is shocking. No self respect in that man. Get him out!

Image source, AP

The players who have been selected by Liverpool tonight are out on the field at the Bernabeu. What an arena, what an occasion - will someone become a hero in red tonight?

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers speaking to ITV: "I think we've got a strong team out for the game.

"We've got nine full internationals and two under-21 internationals playing.

"We're certainly not forfeiting it and there are players on the sidelines who can affect the result."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he has 'a strong team' out tonight and he would be surprised if any fans are disappointed with his selection.

Prepare to be surprised Brendan.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Rodriguez, Modric, Kroos, Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo. Subs: Navas, Pepe, Bale, Hernandez, Nacho, Medran, Torro.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Moreno, Toure, Skrtel, Manquillo, Can, Lucas, Lallana, Allen, Markovic, Borini. Subs: Brad Jones, Johnson, Gerrard, Coutinho, Henderson, Sterling, Balotelli.

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Arsenal: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Sanchez, Welbeck. Subs: Martinez, Rosicky, Podolski, Walcott, Flamini, Sanogo, Bellerin.

Anderlecht: Proto, Deschacht, Mbemba, Vanden Borre, Praet, Kljestan, Tielemans, Najar, Conte, Cyriac, Acheampong. Subs: Roef, Colin, Heylen, Dendoncker, Kawaya, Kabasele, Mitrovic.

Referee: Clement Turpin (France)

Simon in Sussex: Oh Brendan shame on you. what are you doing to my club?? This is Liverpool not (with the greatest of respect) Reading. #byebyebrendan

Steven in Derry: Lose tonight and on Saturday and Rodgers is under massive pressure...... Win both though and he'll be a genius!

This is a section from the hefty Uefa Champions League rulebook. Point D might be interesting the Uefa bigwigs if a Liverpool side without its captain and many of their big-money summer signings flop spectacularly at the Bernabeu.

Let's just hope the Merseysiders have paid that 200 euro entry fee in point A.

Allan in Lewes: Arbeloa to forget he's in white, and to put an unforgettable hat trick of own goals past Casillas.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes on ITV: "If you want to rest players you look at Saturday's game against Newcastle. I still think that Steven Gerrard could play and have two days' rest, and then play Chelsea as well. He could play both games and then have two weeks off.

"That's why he has retired from international football and these are the games you want to play in. He won't be happy about this. They are just hoping to avoid a 'doing' tonight."

Scott in Oxford: People seem to be forgetting that 'reserve side' out there cost upwards of £100m. Yes, we overpaid, but is Rodgers really that wrong to prioritise? Have the fans seen how poor we've been this season?

Henry in Durham: Rodgers has put his neck on the line here, fielding a weakened team for such a big game won't go down well among the Liverpool fans. Pressure could really mount if they lose tonight and again on Saturday.