Real Madrid and Liverpool are set to take to the Anfield pitch to play out the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. It is a repeat of previous season’s final and is without doubt a high profile game, between two of world football’s most famous and historic teams. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were handed a major boost just ahead of the match though.
Real Madrid were dealing with availability issues coming into the match against Liverpool. The likes of Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni had missed the weekend trip to Osasuna.
While Benzema returned to the fold, Kroos and Tchouameni were left out of the squad to take on Liverpool. But there seems to have been an unexpected twist at the very last minute.
Kroos has been named on the bench for Real Madrid, something nobody could have seen coming. The availability of the German midfield maestro is a major boost for Ancelotti’s side. Not only does it add to the quality of the players that the manager can bring on but it also adds a world of experience.
Real Madrid star makes surprise return before Liverpool game
It is safe to say that nobody could have seen Kroos’ return to the squad coming before the game against Liverpool. And hopefully, it will give Jurgen Klopp’s side something extra to think about just ahead of the match.
It remains to be seen if Kroos will come on against Liverpool or not. As he was not expected to be available for the game at all in the first place.
Real Madrid have made slight tweaks for the match, dropping Federico Valverde to midfield and putting Rodrygo on the right wing. The in-form Dani Ceballos has been left on the bench, as Ancelotti has opted for the experience of Luka Modric in a game of this magnitude.