Real Madrid have been warned that their season hangs in the balance just weeks ahead of their Champions League clashes against Liverpool.
Los Blancos were humiliated by Barcelona in the Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening as goals from Gavi, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri handed Xavi's men the bragging rights ahead of the second half of the La Liga season.
It was a defeat that encapsulated Madrid's struggles under Carlo Ancelotti as of late as, just like in last season's Champions League final against Madrid, Thibaut Courtois was called into action on numerous occasions as he produced a string of excellent saves to keep his side in the game until Pedri fired a third goal after 69 minutes.
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Ancelotti's side make the trip to Anfield next month in the first of their two games against the Reds in the Champions League first knockout round, knowing that Jurgen Klopp's men will be gunning for revenge after two final defeats in the previous five seasons.
But ahead of their first trip to Merseyside since April 2021, supporters and journalist voiced their concerns at the state of the La Liga champions' squad ahead of what is being dubbed a 'make-or-break' four-week period.
Following the signings of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni in recent years, Ancelotti has been tasked with phasing out the old guard of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who are both well into their thirties.
But despite the struggles of the La Liga outfit, Liverpool also find themselves in something of a crisis ahead of the resumption of the Champions League next month. Defeats at Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion have plunged the Reds to eighth in the Premier League table and they are now in serious danger of missing out on qualification to Europe's premier competition next term.
Klopp's men host Chelsea at Anfield next weekend, while Madrid resume their pursuit of a record 36th La Liga title against Villarreal on Thursday evening.
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