Ancelotti drops selection hint for Liverpool clash as two Real Madrid stars ruled out

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that one star player will feature in his side's Champions League last 16 first leg clash against Liverpool.

Ancelotti's side travel to Anfield to take on the Reds on Tuesday evening, in a repeat of last season's final. Real won that game 1-0, thanks to a second half goal from Vinicius Junior.

Real go into the game having recently won the Club World Cup, a trophy they have now lifted on a record five occasions.

But they have already suffered a double injury blow, with star midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos both ruled out of the fixture against Liverpool.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on Twitter, whilst also reporting that Karim Benzema, although a doubt for the match, has travelled to England with the rest of the Real squad.

Attention will now turn to who will come into to the starting XI, and who will replace Tchouameni and Kroos - and Ancelotti has already confirmed one player that will play against Jurgen Klopp's side.

Ancelotti drops selection hint ahead of Liverpool clash

Whilst Ancelotti is yet to confirm who will step into midfield, he has announced that one key player definitely will feature at Anfield.

Speaking to Marca after his side's 2-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday, he said: "Carvajal is going to play at Anfield."

Nacho Fernandez played ahead of Carvajal at right-back during the La Liga fixture, and could be deployed in another area across the back four if Ancelotti gives him another start against Liverpool.

In midfield, Real could stick with the trio of Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric that started against Osasuna.

Ceballos, who formerly spent an 18-month loan spell at Arsenal, has impressed for Los Blancos this term and has become a regular in the team.

Camavinga, meanwhile, has often filled in at left-back on occasion in the current campaign but has returned to his preferred central midfield position in recent weeks.

Other options at Ancelotti's disposal for the position include David Alaba and Marco Asensio, although it appears unlikely that either will play there against Liverpool on Tuesday.