Liverpool already have a mountain to climb going into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid. The first leg, at Anfield, was won by Carlo Ancelotti’s team by a 5-2 scoreline. That was a result not even their most optimistic fan would have seen coming.
It has left Liverpool’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. On the other hand, it would not be wrong to say that Real Madrid already have one foot in the quarter-finals.
Of course, anything can happen in football. Thus, it would be a mistake to consider this tie done and dusted just yet. We recently saw Liverpool defeat Manchester United 7-0. So it is not like they are not capable of pulling off a big result. So, Real Madrid must bring their A-game in the second leg as well.
Liverpool have been dealt a major blow heading into the game though, as they will be without their captain. As reported by The Athletic, Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of the Reds’ Champions League clash with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu due to illness.
Liverpool handed major blow as star will not play vs Real Madrid in the second leg
That is another blow for Liverpool, in a season that simply has not gone their way. They would have been hoping that the 7-0 win over Manchester United would prove to be a launching pad for better results moving forward.
Instead, they followed it up with a 1-0 defeat vs Bournemouth. So, nobody is certain which version of Liverpool will show up at the Santiago Bernabeu.
One has to consider Real Madrid as the heavy favourites to go through going into the game. Even though their own form has been questionable in recent times. They do go into it on the back of a win vs Espanyol.