Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni have been ruled out of Real Madrid’s game against Liverpool.
Liverpool and Real Madrid serve up a repeat of last season's Champions League final when they meet at Anfield on Tuesday for the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have endured a torrid season so far, though have enjoyed a mini-resurgence in the past week by claiming a pair of crucial wins against Merseyside rivals Everton and top-four hopefuls Newcastle United.
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They now turn their attention to Europe’s premier competition. Indeed, the Reds have suffered a major boost in the build up to the heavyweight Champions League encounter.
Real Madrid’s injury woes
Real Madrid duo Kroos and Tchouameni are out of the Los Blancos’ first leg against Liverpool.
Transer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote on Twitter: “Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos will miss #UCL game vs Liverpool.
“Karim Benzema, available — travels with the squad.”
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The midfield duo are both missing through illness, leaving manager Carlo Ancelotti with a gaping hole to fill in his midfield.
Meanwhile, reigning Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema had been a doubt for the Champions League match, having finished the club's La Liga game against Elche two weekend ago in discomfort.
However, the 35-year-old was rested for Los Blancos' 2-0 win over Osasuna at the weekend and is now fit to travel to Merseyside.
Liverpool's injury problems
Klopp's side have injury concerns of their own with striker Darwin Nunez a doubt after landing heavily on his shoulder at St James’ Park.
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Post match the Liverpool boss said: “The bad news is Darwin has something on his shoulder. We will see.
"In that situation I don’t know what [the referee] whistled against him, to be honest.
"In the end, he had to go off with a shoulder issue. We need further assessment. I don’t know in the moment.
"In the moment is it painful, but hopefully it’s just painful and not more."
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If Nunez does miss the Champions League clash Liverpool have Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino available to start in his place.
Topics: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Football, Champions League, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema, Aurelien Tchouameni
Chris Byfield