Liverpool handed huge boost ahead of Real Madrid clash as Spanish giants reveal major setback

Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy is a major doubt for their Champions League tie against Liverpool.

Madrid take on Liverpool in the last 16 of this season's competition in a repeat of the 2022 final – which ended in a 1-0 win for the Spanish giants.

Liverpool host Madrid at Anfield on February 21 before they travel to face the 14-time champions at the Bernabeu on March 15.

First-choice Madrid left-back Mendy could miss both games after suffering a hamstring injury in last week's 3-1 win over Atletico in the Copa del Rey.

Madrid confirmed the injury in a statement on Tuesday, which read: "Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Ferland Mendy, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semimembranosus muscle in his left leg. His recovery will be monitored."

Spanish publication Diario AS, as reported by Get Spanish Football News, claim that the Frenchman will be kept out of action until April.

If accurate, it would rule him out of both games against Liverpool as well as the next two El Clasico fixtures against Barcelona.

Liverpool suffer Konate injury blow

However, Liverpool are not without injury problems of their own.

Luis Diaz [knee], Diogo Jota [calf], Virgil van Dijk [thigh], Roberto Firmino [calf] and Arthur Melo [thigh] are all currently sidelined.

Meanwhile, it was reported on Tuesday that Ibrahima Konate had suffered a hamstring injury and would likely to be miss up to three weeks of football.

The Times journalist Paul Joyce outlined the severity of Konate's injury on Twitter.

He tweeted: "Ibrahima Konate is facing up to three weeks out with a hamstring injury.

"The Liverpool centre back will miss games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Newcastle United and potentially Real Madrid in the Champions League."

Should Konate be unavailable for the first leg against Real Madrid, Liverpool would have just three senior centre-backs available for the match – Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips, with youngster Rhys Williams another potential option.

Despite their current injury struggles, Liverpool are not expected to make any significant signings before the transfer window closes.