6 key players out, Real Madrid announce 19-man squad to play Liverpool

INA - SOURCS

Real head to Merseyside this week for their latest meeting with the Reds but do so without many of their most important players.

That includes Vinicius Jr., who has picked up a new leg injury, along with long-term absentees Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Rodrygo and Eder Militao.

The Spanish club confirmed their 19-man travelling squad on Monday, with one-time Liverpool target Aurelien Tchouameni also missing out.

It means Carlo Ancelotti will only be able to name an eight-man bench for the Wednesday night clash at Anfield, including two reserve goalkeepers.

Right-back Lucas Vazquez has been passed fit after missing Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leganes, but otherwise there are no positive developments.

Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Antonio Rudiger are among the key players to have made the squad, though, while Thibaut Courtois is fit again having returned from an adductor injury at the weekend.

Ancelotti has few options at centre-back, with Rudiger likely to be partnered with one of Raul Asencio or Jesus Vallejo, neither of whom have featured regularly this season.

Ferland Mendy is expected to start at left-back having been rested on Sunday, while the return of Vazquez could free up Valverde to return to midfield.