Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to be without the services of Vinicius Junior for Wednesday’s mouthwatering Champions League match against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Brazilian seemingly came through the 3-0 La Liga win over Leganes on Sunday unscathed, but Real announced on Monday morning that he has suffered a hamstring injury, one that is reportedly expected to sideline him for around three weeks.
Vinicius’s absence is another devastating blow to an already injury-hit Real Madrid side, who are also guaranteed to be without Rodrygo (muscle), David Alaba (knee), Dani Carvajal (knee) and Eder Militao (knee).
Ancelotti did not rule Aurelien Tchouameni (ankle) or Lucas Vazquez (muscle) out of Wednesday’s game when quizzed at the weekend, but even if the pair can force their way back into the squad, starts may be out of the question.
Instead, Federico Valverde should line up at right-back again, while 21-year-old centre-back Raul Asencio – who has started Real’s last two La Liga matches – is primed for his Champions League debut in front of the Kop.
Valverde and Asencio will form half of Thibaut Courtois’s rearguard alongside Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy, who should demote Fran Garcia to the bench, while Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga is the most likely midfield pairing for the holders.
Vinicius’s injury should open the door for Brahim Diaz to join Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler as Kylian Mbappe’s supporting cast, unless Ancelotti opts to draft Endrick into the XI up front and keep Mbappe on the left-hand side.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Modric; Guler, Bellingham, Diaz; Mbappe
