Liverpool suffer major injury blow as Klopp confirms key player will miss Real Madrid clash

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has been ruled out of the second leg of the Reds' Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid.

Liverpool travel to the Bernabeu hoping to overturn a three-goal deficit from the first leg, having lost 5-2 at Anfield.

It is a monumental task for Klopp's side, and one that has never been achieved in the current Champions League format by a side playing away from home in the second leg.

They have received a number of injury boosts since then, with centre-back Ibrahima Konate returning to action in recent weeks.

However, Luis Diaz and Thiago are still yet to make their comebacks - and now the Reds have been handed another blow ahead of their fixture against the reigning Champions League winners.

Klopp on Bajcetic injury

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp explained that Bajcetic has suffered an adductor injury.

He said: "With Stefan, it is a stress response, which is absolutely bad.

"So, he doesn't feel it a lot, it's only a little bit but he is now out for I don't know exactly how long.

"We have just to let it settle then and we will see when he can come back. It's high up, around the adductor."

Bajcetic has been a regular starter for Liverpool in recent months, starting nine of their last 11 fixtures in all competitions.

Speaking last month, Klopp described the Spain youth international, who joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in 2020, as "a joy to work with".

The 18-year-old also received the player of the match award for his performance in the Reds' 2-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby last month.

Meanwhile, Reds captain Jordan Henderson has also been ruled out of the match due to illness, having not travelled with the rest of the squad to Spain. James Milner could lead Liverpool out at the Bernabeu if he is selected.