Real Madrid will aim to continue a flawless start to the UEFA Champions League campaign when they lock horns with Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night. Xabi Alonso has a new issue to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Franco Mastantuono is the latest absentee due to a pubic issue that will keep him out for the time being. The Argentine wonderkid has joined Antonio Rudiger (hamstring), Dani Carvajal (knee), and David Alaba (calf) in the treatment room, with the quartet not in the travelling squad to take on Liverpool.
Alonso’s pre-match press conference had several questions about his and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield. The Spanish tactician discussed the former Liverpool full-back and provided a fitness update on the English international.
The Real Madrid boss said, “It’s a big match, a classic in European football in terms of history and the present. It’s a match that the fans love to watch and both Trent and I have our history here and it’s always good to return to a place that has loved you so much. Tomorrow we’ll do our jobs, which is to perform well and get a good result.”
“He’s fine, he’s available, and the other day he didn’t play because of the context of the game. He can play and after his injury, we need him because he has great quality. It’s a new stage for him both on a sporting and personal level and we have to help him and give him what he needs to perform because he’s an exceptional footballer that we have in this squad.”
“He has to enjoy this game in his own way. His story is different to mine. He was born here. I remember when he was a little boy and he was in the academy. It’s nice to be back and it’s going to be nice for him.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss out on a spot in the Real Madrid starting lineup, as Federico Valverde will continue as the right-back, joining Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras in the backline. Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with the away side lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham, with Eduardo Camavinga being a backup option on the bench. Finally, Brahim Diaz will replace the stricken Mastantuono, joining Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in the offensive trifecta. So, Rodrygo Goes will miss out on a spot in the starting lineup again.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Diaz, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
