Cristiano Ronaldo and his Real Madrid team-mates touch down in Liverpool ahead of Champions League clash Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2801423/cristiano-rona

Real Madrid's players looked in relaxed mood as they arrived in Liverpool on Tuesday morning to continue the defence of their Champions League crown.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co take on Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night looking to record their third consecutive win in Group B after victories away at Ludogorets and at home to Basle last time out.

And the Portuguese star appeared in good spirits as he shared a joke with on-loan striker Javier Hernandez after stepping off Real's private plane with the rest of Carlo Ancelotti's squad.

Javier Hernandez (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right) share a joke after Real Madrid landed safely in Liverpool

Midfielders Luka Modric (left) and James Rodriguez (right) give thumbs up to the camera while on Real's plane

WHY THE SHADES, RON? 

Ronaldo arrived in Liverpool wearing a pair of sunglasses but he's unlikely to need them during his stay in England.

Temperatures on Merseyside are set to reach just 12 degrees on Wednesday, with rain forecast around three hours before kick-off at Anfield.

Dressed in Real's club suit and a pair of aviator sunglasses, Ronaldo will go into Wednesday's fixture hoping to continue his extraordinary run of goalscoring form. 

The former Manchester United forward has already netted 15 times in La Liga this season and twice in the Champions League, helping Los Blancos' pursuit of domestic and European glory.

As well as Hernandez, Ronaldo's team-mates Karim Benzema and Sami Khedira were also pictured wandering off Real's plane, while midfielders Luka Modric and James Rodriguez posed for a snap during the flight from Madrid.

Coach Fernando Hierro (left) and midfielder Sami Khedira (right) chat as they make their way into the airport

France striker Karim Benzema should be fit to face Liverpool after missing last weekend's win against Levante

One player missing from Real's travelling party was Gareth Bale, who has been ruled out of Wednesday's game after suffering a muscular injury in his buttock.

The Welshman was an unused substitute as Ancelotti's men thrashed Levante 5-0 on Saturday, with their goals coming from Ronaldo (two), Isco, Hernandez and Rodriguez.

Real will train at Anfield on Tuesday evening before Ancelotti and former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa speak to the press at 6:30pm. 

Gareth Bale will miss Wednesday's game through injury after being left on the bench against Levante