Real Madrid prepare for ‘Operation Anfield’

Carlo Ancelotti sees Butarque as Liverpool's testing ground, with questions about Valverde, Asencio and Brahim to answer.

Anfield can be reached via Butarque. Just like that. Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti clearly have it. Not only will they avoid players having to rest against Leganés next Saturday ahead of the crucial clash at Liverpool – crucial to the team's Champions League journey – but the match will also serve as a major rehearsal. Madrid must tackle three pressing issues before the break: re-deploying Fede Valverde at right-back, assessing whether academy graduate Raúl Asencio is ready to take on the challenge of starting, and finally figuring out how Brahim Díaz will fit alongside Kylian . Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in the attacking trident. Answers will be sought in Butarque.

Versatile Valverde

The most critical aspect is Valverde's repositioning. Both Asencio and Brahim will remain in their usual roles, but it is the energetic Uruguayan who will face the challenge of adapting to a right-back position that is not entirely unknown, but remains a difficult assignment. Valverde made four appearances as a right-back during his Madrid tenure. His first experience in the role, also out of necessity, came during his loan to Deportivo in the 2017-2018 season. Interestingly, his four spells in this position for Madrid have been split between two managers, Zinedine Zidane and Ancelotti, and across two competitions: La Liga under the Italian and the Champions League under the Frenchman. There is perhaps a fifth example if you include the final part of Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Sheriff Tiraspol in the 2021-2022 Champions League season.

Playing as a right back is not Valverde's favorite role, but he remains fully committed to the team. It's a sacrifice that reflects his growth as one of the team's key leaders, already the fourth captain with significant influence. The No. 8 returns to Butarque as No. 2.

Brahim Díaz will have a much easier, but no less pressure, task. The Malaga-born player will not have to adjust his usual playing style, as he will take his familiar position on the right wing. He already did that when Rodrygo was forced out against Osasuna due to an injury (which ruled him out for both Butarque and Anfield) and even provided an assist for Vinícius. This is his chance to close the gap with Rodrygo in the pecking order and position himself as first choice in the Brazilian's absence, ahead of Güler and Endrick.

The best preparation for Butarque and Anfield? Gabon and Lesotho. During the international break, Brahim shone for Morocco, scoring five goals in both matches.

Asencio, under the microscope

The big question mark for Anfield, unless Tchouaméni can speed up his recovery, is Raúl Asencio. It's not about his physical condition, it's impeccable. Football operates on much faster timelines than other professions, but his case would still be extraordinary. Exactly a month before this match in Liverpool, where almost 60,000 voices will sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone', the Canary Islands-born central defender played against Algeciras in an almost empty Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano.

This season, Asencio has only faced two strikers with top experience: Argentine Agustín Coscia (who had a brief spell at Rosario Central) and José Callejón, a household name in Spanish football, who scored in Marbella's 1-0 win over Castilla. Asencio is a newcomer, but has the confidence of the club.

Madrid sees Asencio as the ideal stopgap until Tchouaméni returns, assigning him the role of third centre-back until David Alaba is cleared by the team's medical and recovery staff. But even in such a theoretical temporary role at Madrid you have to earn it. For the academy product, the real test will take place at Butarque.