Real Madrid looking to shake off Liverpool loss

BARCELONA, Spain:

Real Madrid will aim to bounce back from a loss at Liverpool when they cross the Spanish capital to play Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday.

Madrid were riding high after recently beating Barcelona in the Clasico, until Liverpool manhandled Xabi Alonso's side in the Champions League on Tuesday. Liverpool won only 1-0, thanks to the goalkeeping of Thibaut Courtois.

Barcelona visit Celta Vigo also on Sunday, looking to improve their defence after they needed a stellar performance by Lamine Yamal to salvage a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge midweek.

"We are Barca and have the obligation to always win," Yamal said. "But now we must think about the next league game."

KEY MATCHES

Madrid lead Barcelona by five points atop La Liga before they visit Rayo, who are in 10th place.

Alonso said his team will need to respond after Liverpool stymied his attack.

"We played well in the Clasico. We leave (Anfield) feeling bad for the loss," Alonso said. "We have to analyse what happened and then think about Rayo."

Barcelona are also facing questions after Yamal had to score a great goal, where he slalomed past two defenders in a tight space to help draw at Brugge. The Spanish champions had to erase three one-goal deficits to take home a point.

The Belgian rivals found space behind a high defensive line that is missing leader Inigo Martinez after he left for the Saudi Arabian league last summer.

Coach Hansi Flick said his team must play better without the ball.

"We don't have the same confidence when playing the offside trap," Flick said after the tie. "(But) we won't change our way of defending."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kylian Mbappe should be savouring the trip to Rayo, where he can exploit his speed against a high defensive line.

The France striker leads La Liga with 13 goals in 11 rounds, six more than the next highest scorer.

Madrid's holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni will be out for an undetermined period after injuring a left thigh muscle against Liverpool.

Forward Franco Mastantuono could also remain on the injured list after missing the Liverpool game with an injury in the groin area.

Barcelona have been hard hit by injuries and still have Pedri Gonzalez, Raphinha, Gavi Paez, and goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen unavailable.

-AP