Real Madrid dealt Vinicius injury blow before clash at Liverpool

Vinicius Junior will miss his side's Champions League match at Liverpool after suffering a leg muscle injury, Real Madrid announced.

Reports suggest Vinicius could be sidelined for at least three weeks, meaning he could miss up to seven games in all competitions before the winter break, including against Girona and Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga and a Champions League visit to Atalanta.

The Brazilian played all 90 minutes against Leganes on Sunday, setting up Kylian Mbappe's opener in Madrid's 3-0 win.

In the Champions League, he is the second-highest goalscorer, having scored four times in four games, while only Rico Lewis (13) created more chances than him (12).

“Following tests carried out today on our player Vini Jr by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg. Pending evolution,” Madrid said in a statement.

Vini Jr. medical report.#RealMadrid

— Real Madrid CF (@realmadriden) November 25, 2024

Vinicius is the latest player on the club's long injury list, which includes key players such as Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Aurelien Tchouameni and David Alaba.

Madrid are second in the LaLiga standings with 30 points. However, after two defeats in their last three Champions League games, Carlo Ancelotti's side could be in trouble with a poor result at Anfield. They are 18th in the 36-team table with six points from four matches.