Liverpool are to meet Real Madrid in the Champions League tie, however, the Spanish giants are without two key players for the tie.
Liverpool have picked up two crucial wins in the week and ended their dismaying run, and are now up against Spanish and European champions Real Madrid in the Round of 16 clash. Meanwhile, Ancelotti’s side are currently second in La Liga, eight points adrift of leaders Barcelona.
The last time the two teams met was in the 2021-22 Champions League final in Paris where the Los Blancos registered a narrow win to lift the trophy.
However, this time the circumstances are different, with both sides haven’t the hit the heights of last season, especially Liverpool.
The Reds have picked up mojo ahead of the Tuesday night clash at Anfield with two victories over Everton and Newcastle in the Premier League. Moreover, received a boost as Los Blancos are set to be without the midfield duo of Toni Kross and Aurelien Tchouameni.
What does it mean for Real Madrid with Kroos and Tchouameni missing Liverpool tie?
Real Madrid’s manager will be without his two first-choice midfielders Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni at the Anfield clash.
Madrid released their 23-man squad list for the game, and both Kross and Tchouameni’s names were excluded.
According to Relevo, the German has missed the last two Laliga fixtures with an intestinal infection leading to an effect on his weight and muscle mass. Meanwhile, Tchouameni missed the weekend’s game against Osasuna with flu have not won the race to be fit for Tuesday’s clash.
Problems for Ancelotti, meanwhile Liverpool looks ready to compete again.
The Italian technician faces a huge task given the importance of the tie against Liverpool and at their fortress, moreover, the injuries to his two major midfielders in the Los Blancos engine room puts concern. The visitors will be without the services of ball-winning options in the middle of the park.
Veteran Luka Modric, alongside Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Mario Martin, Sergio Arribas, and Dani Ceballos are at Ancelotti’s disposal. Valverde has enjoyed the further forward role in the right flank, scoring 13 goals in all competitions, but the Uruguayan could take up a deeper role against Klopp’s side.
In Madrid’s last game against Osasuna, the Italian head coach lined up Camavinga and Cabellos alongside Modric, however, the Spaniard took off early into the game.
Moreover, Madrid star player Karim Benzema who had a rampant form in the competition’s knockout stage last season has been in and out of the Madrid squad this time around. The Frenchman still feeling the effects of the hamstring injury he picked up on the eve of the World Cup.
On the other hand, Liverpool, who finished second in their group behind the Serie A leader Napoli in the group stage, has registered two more wins than Real Madrid, who topped Group F with 13 points.
The Reds have so far had a torrid season given the standards the side has set in the past years. However, the Reds have picked up two crucial wins in the last two games. Klopp’s side have put themselves in a position where they can do it, with attacking players such as Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino back into the side from their respective injuries.
The team picked up at the right time, ahead of the pivotal week and now it’s up for the Anfield crowd to show their swagger.
