Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog. It’s a surprising Liverpool team selection, to put it mildly.

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet; Manquillo, Skrtel, Toure, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Allen; Lallana, Markovic, Borini.

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Kroos, James, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema.

Here’s the team news from tonight’s other game involving a Premier League side.

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck.

ANDERLECHT: Proto, Vanden Borre, Mbemba, Deschacht, Acheampong, Kliejstan, Tielemans, Najar, Praet, Conté, Cyriac.

In case you need a reminder, here’s what happened the last time these sides met.

We’re underway…

Rodriguez tests Mignolet early on with a powerful strike from the edge of the box that the keeper has to parry away.

This could be a long night for Liverpool.

Skrtel dwells on the ball on the edge of his box, allowing Benzema to steal possession.

The Frenchman squares to Ronaldo, who for once, fails to hit the target with his finish.

PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

(Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard warms up before kick-off)

Liverpool have been living on the edge in these last few minutes.

Nevertheless, Markovic has threatened to break on the counter, showing good pace before being tackled by Varane.

Liverpool have been better in these last few minutes.

Moreno and Toure have both skipped away from their opponents in recent times, as Liverpool appear to be growing in confidence.

This man looks eager to get involved in the action.

GOAL FOR REAL MADRID!

Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Benzema 26)

Lovely flowing move from Real Madrid ends with Marcelo whipping in a cross for Benzema to slot home.

Liverpool haven’t played too poorly, but that’s a severe blow to take at this early stage.

Here’s a look at that Benzema goal!

Almost a freak goal, as Benzema controls a long pass before Toure intercepts, but in doing so, lifts the ball over his own goalkeeper and onto the roof of the net.

Real Madrid are comfortably in the ascendancy at this stage.

Arsenal are currently 2-0 up against Anderlecht, while Basel are beating Ludogrets by the same scoreline.

HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL 

The second half is underway…

Ronaldo’s side-footed shot from the edge of the area is comfortably saved by Mignolet.

The Portuguese star has been ominously quiet so far.

The much-maligned Markovic has looked sporadically impressive tonight.

He’s just won a free kick following a pacey solo run in which he must have carried the ball close to 50 yards.

Half chance for Liverpool!

Moreno plays it to Lallana, who turns sharply and shoots just wide.

It hasn’t been a bad performance from Liverpool by any means.

Borini’s free kick has deflected just wide.

It’s been a good spell for Liverpool in these last few minutes.

Meanwhile, Bale is on in place of Rodriguez.

It’s now 3-0 to Basel against Ludogrets, while Arsenal are currently 3-1 up against Anderlecht.

Great block from Toure to stop Ronaldo getting a shot on target following a swift Real Madrid counter-attack.

Shortly thereafter, Benzema blasts over from close range following another good Marcelo cross.

Meanwhile, Gerrard and Sterling replace Lucas and Markovic for Liverpool.

Marcelo does the damage down the left again, and Bale hits the bar once the ball falls to him from the Brazilian’s cross.

Ronaldo then takes a free kick, which Mignolet parries away with relative ease.

Isco’s corner finds Kroos, and the German’s shot flies powerfully wide.

In addition, Liverpool have made their final change, with Can off and Coutinho on.

And in tonight’s other game, Arsenal are only 3-2 up against Anderlecht now.

10 minutes left and Liverpool are still very much in this game.

There have been signs of Madrid frustration in recent minutes.

Moreno is very lucky. He chops down an onrushing Gareth Bale just outside the box and receives a booking as a result.

Mignolet then does well to parry away Bale’s subsequent powerful free kick.

Benzema is off for Javier Hernandez. Here’s a reminder of his prowess as a player.

Incredible stuff in tonight’s other game — Arsenal were 3-0 up against Anderlecht and it’s now 3-3.

FULL-TIME: MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL

So it’s finished Madrid 1-0 Liverpool.

The Spanish side clearly deserved their victory, dominating possession and territory, and creating the better chances.

Nevertheless, Liverpool — missing many of their first-team regulars — can be pleased having given a good account of themselves under the circumstances.

Less heralded players such as Lucas Leica and Emre Can produced lively, diligent performances, and they’ll have given Brendan Rodgers plenty of food for thought against Chelsea at the weekend.

Right, that’s all from me, but we’ll have more reaction to follow.

Thanks for reading and commenting.