Indeed Liverpool's performance this season is not like them. I don't know what happened to them this season. Because, last season they performed very impressively despite failing to win the EPL, but they managed to make the EPL interesting to follow until the end of the season. Liverpool's performance is quite good in the UCL with 4 wins in the last 4 matches, but this is not a good thing, because Madrid will perform optimally with the solid squad they have at the moment.
On paper Real Madrid is still good enough to continue the match in the round of 16, while challengers Liverpool are still in imperfect condition. In fact, Liverpool and Real Madrid have met three times in the Champions League final, but Real Madrid are still one win ahead of Liverpool.
This will be a repeat of last year's final, where Liverpool lost 1-0 to Real Madrid, if Liverpool are not able to make changes then they will again experience defeat like the previous season, especially now that Real Madrid have found a young talent who has developed so much in the team.
The game is still very long, because everyone will be heading to see the world cup even though the prediction will also be no different where Rael Madrid has a greater chance of winning than Liverpool due to his lack of consistency this season. In addition, Real Madrid also always tries to perform better in the Champions League even though they have lost in La Liga through Rayo Vallecano with a score of 3-2.
Real Madrid have young talent in the team, they have grown so much now under Ancelotti, coupled with the strength of senior players who have great experience in the Champions League, such as Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois. This is clearly a bit more profitable for Real Madrid in the party against Liverpool. However, it does not mean that we ignore the strength possessed by Liverpool, but its nature is only a prediction based on the strength possessed by both teams.
With or without the quality players that Liverpool has Real Madrid will still end up winning the game in the knock out meetings against themselves. The lost against Rayo Vallecano is confusing, I am also surprised by the power's of Vallecano.
Real Madrid do not joke with the Champions League but this time this year the champions league will go to another unlike last season where benzema showed up in big game's for Real Madrid. That away Real Madrid will qualify ahead of Liverpool
Almost all bookies make predictions of victory against Real Madrid. The defeat against Rayo Vallecano is not a strong reference to the strength of Real Madrid. Even Liverpool have lost four times in the English league if I'm not mistaken, while Real Madrid have only suffered their first defeat against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
Real Madrid still has plenty of time and preparation for facing Liverpool is of course ideal for Real Madrid players to optimize stamina. Despite losing in the last few games, the time against Liverpool will still be put to good use. I believe Real Madrid will continue to win because the history of the two meetings is dominated by the Madrid squad.
Liverpool have lost far more than Real Madrid in their respective leagues. If that's a reason, then we can be sure that Real Madrid is very superior, but Liverpool's resistance will definitely be different when they face Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.
On the one hand, you are right if Real Madrid is more advantaged because Liverpool this season has been less stable or less convincing in the premier league so that they still hold on to 8th position in the standings. On the other hand, your analysis is not quite right, especially regarding experience. Real Madrid and Liverpool's current squad depth is balanced from experience. Benzema may be a player who has more experience at Real Madrid, but Liverpool also have Mohamed Salah, Jodan Henderson who have experience not much different from Benzema in the Champions League.
Let's say the experience of players owned by both clubs are in the same position, but you forget that Real Madrid has a winning mentality that Liverpool does not have, many people say that Real Madrid won the Champions League last season because of luck, on the one hand people also forget, that in football luck is only the result of the strategy implemented by the coach, Real Madrid proved it against Manchester City.
I think in terms of who has the greater chance, it's too soon to decide right now. We'll just have to wait for the World Cup to end. Why? because many Real Madrid and Liverpool players will carry out duties in the national team squad. Who knows, important players in their respective clubs get injured, it will certainly affect the big chances of qualifying for the Champions League which will take place on 22 Feb 2023 after the World Cup party.
Maybe it's still too early to make predictions about the chances of winning, but the fact is that quality and winning mentality is an important part in making predictions, I also believe Liverpool will play to win and Real Madrid will definitely play to defend the title.