CARVAJAL BLOW ADDS TO REAL MADRID’S CONCERNS AHEAD OF ANFIELD VISIT – KopTalk

Actual Madrid have confirmed that captain Dani Carvajal faces as much as three months on the sidelines after struggling a brand new knee harm — one other main blow for Xabi Alonso forward of subsequent week’s Champions League conflict with Liverpool at Anfield.

A membership assertion launched by Actual Madrid learn: “Following checks carried out on our captain Dani Carvajal by the Actual Madrid Medical Providers, he has been recognized with the presence of a free physique in his proper knee. Carvajal will endure an arthroscopy within the coming days.”

A “free physique” refers to a small fragment of bone or cartilage that has indifferent contained in the joint, inflicting ache and restricted motion. The 32-year-old will now endure minor surgical procedure to take away it, with an estimated restoration time of between two and three months.

The information got here only a day after Carvajal was caught in a post-Clásico controversy involving Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. Regardless of showing to complete the sport with out discomfort, he later reported ache in the identical knee that was surgically repaired final yr following a critical ligament harm sustained towards Villarreal.

For Alonso, the setback provides to a rising defensive disaster. Carvajal had solely simply returned from a month-long absence brought on by a calf downside and had featured off the bench in El Clásico to construct up match health. His goal had been to regain rhythm forward of key fixtures, together with the journey to Liverpool, however these plans have now been deserted.

The harm leaves Actual Madrid with out one in every of their leaders for a vital stretch, whereas additionally elevating questions on depth at right-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool below controversial circumstances earlier this yr after operating down his contract, remains to be working his method again to full health.

The Englishman suffered a hamstring harm on 17 September and has missed six La Liga video games, together with El Clásico, although he was again on the bench on the weekend. His progress is being monitored carefully, however his participation at Anfield stays unsure.

If Trent does function, it can mark a dramatic return to the stadium the place he turned a neighborhood hero — and the place he’ll now face one in every of world soccer’s most intimidating arenas on European nights. His choice to depart Liverpool for Actual Madrid nonetheless stings for a lot of on Merseyside, and his first match again could be an emotionally charged affair.

With Carvajal dominated out, Federico Valverde is once more anticipated to fill in at right-back if Trent isn’t prepared. The Uruguayan midfielder has already been deployed there a number of occasions this season, providing power and flexibility, however it’s clear Actual Madrid’s defensive stability continues to be examined on the worst attainable time.