Real Madrid will reportedly have to make do without the services of Gareth Bale for their Champions League group encounter against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The attacker picked up a gluteal injury while on international duty with Wales, which sidelined him for the weekend's 5-0 victory away at Levante.

There had been suggestions that he was being saved for the clash at Anfield, but numerous reports this morning have claimed that the 25-year-old will not travel to Merseyside with his teammates.

It has also been speculated that Bale will be absent for Saturday's El Clasico fixture against rivals Barcelona.