Hoping to ignite a stuttering Champions League campaign at the home of their English nemesis, Real Madrid touch down on Merseyside for an Anfield date with Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
The reigning champions have only posted a mediocre tally of six points from their first four league phase games to sit 18th in the UCL table, most recently suffering a 3-1 home upset at the hands of AC Milan.
However, Carlo Ancelotti's team eased to a 3-0 La Liga triumph over Leganes over the weekend, cutting their deficit to a faltering Barcelona to just four points after the Blaugrana could only draw with Celta Vigo.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Real Madrid's injury and suspension news ahead of their contest with Liverpool, who lead the way at the top of the 36-team table.
Vinicius Junior
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
On Monday morning, Real Madrid announced that Vinicius Junior had picked up a hamstring injury, although they did not specify his length of absence. However, reports have claimed that he could be missing for around three weeks, meaning that he has no chance of facing the Reds.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: December 1 (vs. Getafe)
Aurelien Tchouameni was a casualty of the recent loss to Milan, picking up an ankle problem, but even Ancelotti affirmed that the club will do everything in their power to have him back for Wednesday, he has not made the squad.
© Imago
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: November 27 (vs. Liverpool)
As well as being pressed on Tchouameni's fitness over the weekend, Ancelotti was bullish about Lucas Vazquez's chances of coming back from a muscular problem at the same time, and the right-back is indeed in the squad for the Anfield stopover.
Rodrygo
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: December 4 (vs. Athletic Bilbao)
In contrast, Rodrygo is not expected to be back from the muscular injury he sustained against Osasuna on November 9, as the Brazilian reportedly requires three weeks of recovery before he can return.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Dani Carvajal is one of three long-term absentees in the Blancos infirmary, as the Euro 2024 winner suffered an ACL injury in early October and will not play again this season.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: January 9 (vs. Mallorca)
It has now been almost 12 months since David Alaba's last match, but the experienced Austrian should soon be entering the final stages of his recovery from his own ACL problem and is targeting a return in the New Year.
© Imago
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
The incredibly unfortunate Eder Militao had only come back from one ACL injury before suffering another earlier this month, and the Brazilian is set to miss the remainder of the campaign.
REAL MADRID'S SUSPENSION LIST
Real Madrid have no players suspended for this match, but Vazquez, Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga are all one yellow card away from a Champions League ban.
Ben Knapton
