Huge Champions League boost for Liverpool with Real Madrid missing key player through injury
Liverpool have been handed a serious lift in their hopes of making the Champions League quarter-finals amid reports Real Madrid will be without one of their most important stars in the round of 16 first leg.
Liverpool finished second in Group A, despite winning five out of six matches and scoring 17 goals in the process. Napoli managed five wins out of six too and qualified in top spot due to having a superior goal difference. They scored an astonishing 20 goals, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia the star of the show.
Liverpool were drawn against Group F winners Real in the round of 16. The Spanish giants won four, drew one and lost one of their six group matches.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will travel to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday evening. After that, attention will turn to Real, who will visit Anfield on Tuesday night.
The Reds will be hoping to get revenge on Carlo Ancelotti’s team after last season’s Champions League final. Real beat Liverpool 1-0 thanks to a Vinicius Jr goal in the second half.
And Liverpool will have a much better chance of beating Real in the first leg, and potentially reaching the last eight of the UCL, after a report detailed Karim Benzema’s injury problem.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Benzema has been ruled out of Real’s La Liga game against Osasuna on Saturday. And he is a serious doubt for the trip to Merseyside early next week.
Benzema sustained bruising during the recent 4-0 win over Elche, during which he scored two spot-kicks. It is unlikely he will recover in time to face Liverpool.
Liverpool may face weakened Real Madrid side
The Frenchman was at the heart of Real’s success last term and is scoring regularly this campaign, too. Injury problems have limited him to 23 matches in all competitions, though he has still notched 16 goals.
While Los Blancos have great squad depth, being without Benzema reduces their chances of beating Liverpool. He is one of the best strikers in the world, after all.
The report also provides an update on Ancelotti’s options in several other positions. Thibaut Courtois is expected to be back in time for the Liverpool clash after missing the Elche game due to a hamstring issue.
Vinicius missed the Elche match too due to suspension, after picking up too many yellow cards. But he will be eligible in the UCL as that was just a domestic ban.
While Ancelotti should be able to rely on Courtois and Vinicius vs Liverpool, midfielder Toni Kroos is a doubt. He missed Real training on Thursday with a stomach problem. It is unclear whether he will be fully recovered in time for Tuesday.
While Klopp will be happy about Benzema’s absence, Liverpool still need to play at their best to beat Real. Top stars such as Vinicius, Rodrygo and Fede Valverde could cause the Liverpool defence problems.
