Opponent watch: Key Real Madrid star could miss Liverpool clash

Opponent watch: Real Madrid star Karim Benzema a doubt for Liverpool clash

According to Liverpool Echo, Real Madrid star Karim Benzema is in doubt for the Liverpool clash with the player suffering discomfort and not really training ahead of the return leg of the Champions League.

Liverpool fans might not really be optimistic for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, but the news that the Spanish giants’ captain, Karim Benzema, is a doubt for the game will give them some sort of hope.

However, the French striker is now struggling with an injury and has missed training sessions ahead of the second leg. This will be a major blow for Real Madrid, who will be desperate to have Benzema fit and available for the game.

Los Blancos are actually in a very good position coming into this tie. The Spanish giants have a 5-2 lead over the Reds in the game and should not really have much trouble getting past Liverpool but we have seen stranger things happen in football.

Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, now faces a difficult decision. He must decide whether to risk his skipper on Wednesday with El Clasico coming up on Sunday. The match against Barcelona is a huge game for Real Madrid, and Ancelotti will want to have his best players available for that fixture.

Ideally, the Spanish giants are in a trickier position in the league than in the Champions League and the match against Barcelona is virtually a must-win one for Carlo Ancelotti’s men for the league.

From a Liverpool perspective, the news of Benzema’s injury will be welcome. However, they will know that they have a momentous task to get past the Spanish club and overturn a 3-goal deficit.

Liverpool have struggled with injuries themselves this season. Barring the blip against Bournemouth last weekend, the Reds have considerably improved their form and will be hoping for a miracle in Madrid.

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• Barcelona set £53m price tag on Liverpool target Ansu Fati

If we can put seven goals past Manchester United, we can put up a show against Real Madrid. Let’s see what happens in the future.