Real Madrid handed fresh injury problem after double Liverpool selection setback
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Liverpool take on Real Madrid in November as they lock horns in the Champions League once again, but Xabi Alonso's side are facing increasing injury and suspension concernsLiverpool's Champions League opponents Real Madrid have been handed a fresh injury problem as Dani Carvajal will be out for around four weeks. The Spanish right-back is already suspended for the trip to Anfield, adding to the issues at right-back for Xabi Alonso with former Reds right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold set to be out for up to six weeks.Carvajal was shown a straight red card in their 2-1 win over Marseille for an off-the-ball incident involving goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
He will serve at least one match, but it could be extended if UEFA deems the incident to be a serious offence, which could see him miss the clash against Liverpool on November 4.Should he be sanctioned further, it could mean the Spanish giants will have to patch up their right-back position and play Federico Valverde in the position. Los Blancos lock horns with their European rivals once again, following their tussles in previous finals as well as the important win for Arne Slot's side during last season's League Phase.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk addresses Liverpool 'worry' and 'biggest challenge' they now faceREAD MORE: Alexis Mac Allister sends 'disappointing' message to Liverpool fans after Arne Slot fitness updateThe 33-year-old was forced off during Saturday's 5-2 defeat in the Madrid derby to Atletico on the hour mark.It was confirmed on Sunday that he will miss up to four weeks with a calf injury; in a statement Real Madrid wrote: "Following tests carried out today on Dani Carvajal by Real Madrid's medical department, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the soleus muscle in his right leg."His progress will be monitored."It poses fresh problems for Alonso as they gear up for the trip to Kazakhstan to take on Kairat Almaty in their next Champions League encounter.They are taking a strong squad to eastern Europe with David Alaba, Raul Asencio, Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia and former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen among the defensive options.Liverpool are on the horizon and Alexander-Arnold faces a race to be fit to face his former club while Carvajal waits for a verdict regarding any further punishment.Saturday's defeat meant they failed to extend their lead at the top of La Liga and on Sunday, Barcelona could leapfrog them with a win over Real Sociedad.Speaking after the disappointment in the derby, Alonso said: "It was a bad game, we didn't play well either collectively or under pressure, we weren't at the level we should have been."We're in a building phase, today is our first defeat and we have to draw conclusions from what happened but there are no excuses, we're hurt, it's a derby and a deserved defeat."We weren't on our game, we were lacking a gear and the defeat hurts."For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc.
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