Real Madrid and Liverpool are expected to play out a close contest when they meet at Anfield for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. They played out the final of the competition last season but neither team has been in great form during the course of this campaign.
Both managed to win at the weekend to go into the match with some confidence. At the same time though, the biggest worry that both sides seem to have is their fitness situation. They have key players missing heading into one of the most important games of their respective seasons.
Real Madrid announced their squad for the match against Liverpool on the club’s official website. Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni are not included.
Both players had missed the weekend trip to Osasuna as well and have not recovered in time for the trip to Anfield either. Of course that is a worry for Carlo Ancelotti, and reduces his options further in the middle of the park. On the other hand, Mario Martin and Sergio Arribas are part of the squad.
Real Madrid suffer double blow for Liverpool match
Both Kroos and Tchouameni are key players for Real 
Madrid, and if fit, would have been expected to start on the day. Thus, their absence from the squad is a blow for Ancelotti’s side for sure.
It will be interesting to see how Real Madrid line up without Kroos and Tchouameni. The most likely path seems to be Eduardo Camavinga in a defensive midfield role with Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos taking up the other two roles.
Federico Valverde can play in the middle of the park as well and if Ancelotti decides to go with him then expect Rodrygo to start on the right wing. The good news is that Karim Benzema seems to have recovered in time to face Liverpool.
Source: therealchamps.com
