Real Madrid may be forced to make major change for Liverpool showdown

Real Madrid could be forced to start midfielder Federico Valverde at right-back when they take on Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday amid an injury crisis.

First-choice right-back Dani Carvajal is currently sidelined after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in October. The 34-year-old is expected to be out of action for around eight months following surgery.

Lucas Vazquez has replaced Carvajal in his absence but is doubtful for the trip to Anfield after picking up an injury against Osasuna. As a result, Valverde came on as a right-back against Leganes, marking only the fifth time he has played there for Madrid.

Interestingly, the first time he did that was against Liverpool at Anfield in a Champions League quarter-final in 2021. Valverde helped Madrid keep a clean sheet that day and he says he is “prepared” to do the same again on Wednesday.

“I really enjoyed the position today,” Valverde said after Madrid's 3-0 win over Leganes. “I am available for whatever the coach wants and whatever the team needs. I have tried to watch a lot of videos and matches of my other teammates, Lucas and Carvajal.

“Obviously I'm not even close to them but I try to do my best in that position and I try to help the team. During Covid-19 I played as a full-back against Liverpool and I was nervous. I think that it will be so.” harder this time, but I'm prepared.”

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti is unsure whether Vazquez will be fit to play against Liverpool, but he is confident in Valverde's ability to handle the Reds' attack. “We don't know anything about it yet,” he said when asked about injury updates ahead of the match.

“We will see if Lucas and Tchouameni can recover on Wednesday, and then we will make the decisions at the back. Valverde is a fantastic full-back. I think he is the best full-back in the world after Carvajal and Lucas.”

“His problem is that he can play like that in many positions and my problem is choosing the best one for the team.” Madrid will also be without centre-backs David Alaba, Eder Militao and winger Rodrygo when they take on Liverpool.