Top 5 Things To Watch For In Real Madrid vs. Liverpool

Painted as the perfect scapegoat for Liverpool's present rough patch, the oft-maligned Mario Balotelli could instead be looked to as their potential savior this week. With Daniel Sturridge injured, despite traveling with the squad, the Italian faces his biggest test yet. Coming out the other side with a match-winning display might seem too good to be true, but it would cleanse him of all blame. The incentive is there, but will he chase after it?

An aficionado of super-strikes, Colombian international James Rodriguez just can't seem to stop scoring vine-friendly crackers. Don't bet against him netting another one at home again either. Really stepping up to the plate since he clambered on board the SS Madrid, he's overcome the choppy seas to win the fans and the neutrals over with some really smart displays.

No new contract on the table won't deter Steven Gerrard from producing a second sterling display on the trot. Recently a wave of criticism has hit the 34-year-old midfielder regarding his displays, but there's only so long he can continue to carry this team. Temptations from afar might start to cloud his mind more if no contract is forthcoming, but knowing the loyal legend, while he's on board he'll ensure he can still be relied upon.

Watching their match against Alan Pardew's Magpies on Saturday, they could well have ended 2-0 down, but as it was they were lucky to escape with just the one goal against them. Churning out a performance that's unlikely to inspire too much confidence, it really doesn't bode well. They need a morale-boosting display, even if the result doesn't go their way, and this Tuesday would be the ideal time to deliver it.

With 70 Champions League goals to his name, Cristiano Ronaldo needs just one more to equal the great Raul's long-standing record. But knowing the hard-working Portuguese player, he'll only be content with pushing past it. And against an incompetent Liverpool defense, he could make short work of it. What a moment it will be for him if he does it, especially as he'll probably get there before his old foe, Lionel Messi.