Real Madrid star Karim Benzema could be a doubt to face Liverpool in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie next week.
That’s according to the Liverpool Echo, who claim the Frenchman did not take part in full training on Wednesday.
Los Blancos will welcome the Reds to the Bernabeu next Wednesday, and now it appears they may be without their key player, as he has emerged as a fitness doubt in the run-up to the game.
As well as the 35-year-old, Antonio Rudiger and Mariano Diaz were also absent from training yesterday.
Injured defensive duo David Alaba and Ferland Mendy were also working individually as they continue to recover from persistent fitness issues.
Benzema might not feature vs Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s side have a mountain to climb if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
They head into the away leg 5-2 down, after an incredible start to the match quickly fell from their grasp – which ultimately led to a devastating humiliation.
Benzema scored twice in the first leg at Anfield, playing a major role in his side’s victory. He has bagged 18 goals in 27 games this season; a campaign many commentators have supposedly called underwhelming.
Therefore, his potential absence will come as a big boost to Liverpool, as Carlo Ancelotti will be without his most prolific goal-scorer.
Hailed by pundit Steve McManaman as an ‘extraordinary football player’, the Reds will have one less threat to worry about.
However, the likes of Vinicius Junior remain at large, so Klopp’s men will still be in for a gruelling test.