Champions League

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Champions League | Round of 16 | 1st Leg

Feb 21, 2023 at 8pm UK

Anfield

Liverpool
2 - 5
Real Madrid

(Real Madrid win 6-2 on aggregate)

Nunez (4'), Salah (14')
Elliott (90+3')

FT(HT: 2-2)

Junior (21', 36'), Militao (47'), Benzema (55', 67')
Junior (60')

Liverpool team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Real Madrid

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 19 February 2023

Sports Mole rounds up all of Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid.

Revenge is on the menu for Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night as the Reds host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Jurgen Klopp's men were defeated by Los Blancos in last year's final, and they finished second behind Napoli in Group A to set up a tie with the reigning champions.

The Merseyside giants have rediscovered their form at the right time, though, and they enter the first leg on the back of a 2-0 win over Newcastle United courtesy of strikes from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Los Blancos, who beat RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic to top spot in Group F.

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier react after sustaining injuries from a challenge on February 18, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Shoulder
Possible return date: February 21 (vs. Real Madrid)

Darwin Nunez opened the scoring in Liverpool's win over Newcastle before falling awkwardly on his shoulder in the second half, which led to his withdrawal just before the hour mark. Nunez tried to carry on for a few minutes before being substituted, and while Klopp is hopeful over his availability, he will undergo further assessment ahead of Tuesday's crunch clash.

Luis Diaz

Liverpool's Luis Diaz in action with Arsenal's Thomas Partey on October 8, 2022 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: March 11 (vs. Bournemouth)

Luis Diaz is running outside again as he steps up his recovery from a painful knee setback, but it will still be another few weeks before the Colombian attacker can return to first-team action, which should put him in contention for the second leg in Madrid next month.

Arthur

Arthur warms up for Liverpool in September 2022 © Reuters

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: February 21 (vs. Real Madrid)

Arthur has spent a couple of weeks in training with the team as he builds his way back to fitness following thigh surgery, but having missed out against Newcastle, his chances of making the squad on Tuesday are slim.

Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate comes off injured for Liverpool on July 31, 2022 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: February 25 (vs. Crystal Palace)

Ibrahima Konate was ruled out for three weeks with the hamstring injury that he sustained against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, and while a return to the squad here cannot be completely ruled out, the Frenchman may have to wait until Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace to make his comeback.

Thiago Alcantara

Status: Out
Type of injury: Hip
Possible return date: March 15 (vs. Real Madrid)

Thiago Alcantara, who has been plagued by injuries during his stay at Anfield, is currently out with a hip problem and will eye a return for the second leg on March 15.

Calvin Ramsay

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown

Right-back Calvin Ramsay will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery, but the Scottish youngster was never going to start Tuesday's game anyway.

LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST

Liverpool have no players suspended for this match, but Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the second leg at the Bernabeu if he is cautioned on Tuesday.