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Vinicius Junior: Alonso and Ancelotti reveal talks with Brazil forward before Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Vinicius Jr has held talks with his Madrid and Brazil bosses

Written by Ben Miller
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Vinicius Junior: Alonso and Ancelotti reveal talks with Brazil forward before Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso and Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti say they have spoken to Vinicius Junior about the forward’s furious response to being substituted during the Clasico win over Barcelona.

The Brazil international reacted petulantly when Rodrygo replaced him in the 72nd minute at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, where he was also booked after an on-pitch altercation between players after the final whistle.

“I spoke with Vinicius about the incident, about his reaction,” said Ancelotti. “I told him what I thought, that it was a mistake.

“He apologised and it’s a closed matter. He’s a very important player and has no problems here, nor at his club, with his coach.”

Asked about Ancelotti’s remarks, Alonso responded: “It was important to me that we talked about it on Friday and it’s been resolved. These things can happen but we don’t want them to happen again.”

Vinicius Junior ‘keeps Brazil boss informed’

Ancelotti has named Vinicius Junior in his squad for friendlies against Senegal on November 15 in London and Tunisia on November 18 in Lille.

“We have a very good relationship with Vinicius,” said Ancelotti, who managed the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up at Madrid between 2021 and the Italian’s departure at the end of last season.

“When something happens, we keep each other informed. His personal life? I’m neither his father nor his brother. I just want to be his coach. His personal life is his own.”

Vinicius Junior was substituted during the La Liga leaders’ 4-0 home win over Valencia on Saturday and is poised to start at Liverpool in their fourth match of the 2025/26 league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old, who stormed down the tunnel before returning to the bench against Barca, played down the incidents in a club interview after the game.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid ‘a classic’

Alonso won the 2004/05 Champions League at the end of his first season at Liverpool, adding the 2005/06 FA Cup before leaving in 2009 for Real Madrid, where he won every domestic trophy during his five-year stay and was a European champion again in 2014.

“It’s a classic of European football, both historically and in the present,” the former midfielder said of the fixture, adding that ex-Reds defender Trent Alexander-Arnold could feature.

“It’s a match that fans love to watch. Trent and I have our own history here. It feels good to return to a place where you’ve been so loved. But we’re here to focus on our own game and get a good result.

“[Liverpool] influenced me a lot. I spent five years with [manager] Rafa Benitez and I learned a great deal about elite football.

“It helped me get to where I am now. If you love football, you love playing [at Liverpool]. They were very good years.

“They helped me as a player and as a coach. I still remember many things from that time, and they’re useful to me today.”

Alonso penalty ‘changed Liverpool’s history’

Alonso was inevitably asked about one of the most remarkable games in history, when Liverpool recovered from 3-0 behind at half-time to beat Milan on penalties following a 3-3 draw in the Champions League final in 2005.

After Steven Gerrard scored in the 54th minute and Vladimir Smicer added another two minutes later, Alonso’s 60th-minute spot-kick was saved by Dida before the Spain international converted from the rebound.

“Rafa designated me or [Harry] Kewell as the penalty taker,” recalled Alonso. “But when the time came, Kewell wasn’t there [because of an injury].

“I took it, missed, but scored on the second attempt. And it changed Liverpool’s history.”

How to watch Liverpool vs Madrid: Live stream, TV channel

Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 GMT (16:00 ET / 14:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Amazon Prime Video.

A Prime Video membership is £8.99 per month or £95 per year paid annually, with a half-price offer for fans aged between 18 and 22.

Membership includes unlimited delivery on a huge selection of Amazon items and a range of other perks such as movies, series, documentaries and photo storage.

Liverpool Football Club manager Arne Slot

Liverpool Champions League fixtures, results 2025/26

Liverpool’s other opponents in the league phase include reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray, Dutch titlists PSV and their Azerbaijani counterparts, Qarabag.

Inter reached the Champions League final last season and finished second in Italy, while Marseille were runners-up in France.

Eintracht Frankfurt came third in Germany and had Hugo Ekitike to thank for 22 goals in all competitions in 2024/25, causing Liverpool to pay them an initial £69m for the France newcomer in July.

All fixtures start at 20:00 GMT / 16:00 ET / 13:00 PT.

Wednesday September 17: Liverpool 3-2 Atleti

Tuesday, September 30: Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

Wednesday, October 22: Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool

Tuesday, November 4: Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Wednesday, November 26: Liverpool vs PSV

Tuesday, December 9: Inter vs Liverpool

Wednesday, January 21: Marseille vs Liverpool

Wednesday, January 28: Liverpool vs Qarabag

Liverpool Champions League squad 2025/26

Liverpool’s List A Champions League squad has been registered until the round of 16 in February 2026, when clubs can register a maximum of three new players within the existing limit of 25.

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman

Defenders: Joe Gomez, Endo, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez, Connor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Andy Robertson, Jeremie Frimpong

Midfielders: Florian Wirtz, Domink Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch

Forwards: Alexander Isak, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Rio Ngumoha

List B submissions, comprised of players born after January 1, 2004 who have been eligible to play for the club for an uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday, can also be made until midnight before each match.

Midfielders Stefan Bajcetic and Trey Nyoni and forward Jayden Danns are initially on List B.

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