Key players out as Real Madrid travel to face Liverpool in Champions League quarterfinal 2nd leg

Madrid, Spain |  XINHUA |  Real Madrid travel to Liverpool on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal return leg against Liverpool without several key players out through injury as they look to defend the 3-1 advantage they took in the first leg.

Sergio Ramos is suffering a muscle problem and on Tuesday morning the club also announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Raphael Varane is still sidelined after testing positive for Covid-19 a week ago, while Lucas Vazquez is also out after a knee injury picked up in Saturday’s 2-1 win at home to FC Barcelona ended his season.

Although Dani Carvajal is back in training after his long injury layoff, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has decided not to risk him at Anfield and Carvajal has been left out of the squad along with Eden Hazard, who Zidane doesn’t want to risk after a long run of muscle issues.

The absence of Vazquez and Carvajal means Alvaro Odriozola, who replaced Vazquez against Barcelona, will probably cover at right-back, although Zidane could opt to play either Ferland Mendy or Marcelo on the right even though both are naturally left-footed.

Meanwhile, Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao will continue in central defense after solid displays in the first leg and against Barcelona, and B-team defender Chust has been included in the squad as extra cover.

The good news for Real Madrid is that midfielder Fede Valverde, who also limped off at the weekend, has recovered from a bruised foot and travels with the rest of the squad.

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XINHUA