Liverpool’s key midfielders Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara both face a worrying race against time to be fit for their final clash of the season when they meet Real Madrid in the Champions League Final on Saturday in Paris.
There is still one game to be played with Liverpool and Real Madrid meeting for the second time in five years to battle it out for the crown of European club football. The biggest talking point between then and now is both clubs’ injury problems, with Liverpool suffering from major concerns before the two lock horns for the CL showdown.
"Liverpool are set to be without Thiago Alcantara for the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Fabinho is also a fitness doubt.Thiago will undergo a scan on Monday to establish the extent of the problem, but is a serious doubt to face Real Madrid in Saturday’s showdown in Paris, as per Goal. (Via: @AnfieldWatch)"
It could be a lot worse for Liverpool
As much as it sounds like a joke, it honestly could be 10 times worst for the Reds. During and between the period of the FA Cup Final and the final day of Premier League action, Jurgen Klopp was at risk of being without four first-team players in Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, and Thiago Alcantara.
The Brazilian was withdrawn from the win against Aston Villa while the Egyptian and the Dutchman both left midway through their FA Cup triumph over Chelsea. Liverpool then lost their Spaniard in the dramatic win over Wolves on Sunday. The latter is said to have undergone a scan on Monday and awaits his Champions League fate.
Thankfully, Mo Salah was a used sub in their Wolves victory at Anfield while van Dijk was kept on the bench for further precaution measures. Now they miss two key components in the middle of the park.
Two excellent readers and tackles of the games could be out. There is still a chance they could make the cut, but it is a big if. The next question that follows if they do make Saturday’s final in Paris: does Klopp risk starting either of the players or both if their fitness is 50% or more?
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The mood needs to improve around Anfield and these injury setbacks are not helping. If they do not want to suffer the same fate as they did when Real Madrid beat them 3-1 in Kyiv, Ukraine, then they are in need of their midfield maestro and general.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos, being led by Karim Benzema, have been brilliant this season in their La Liga winning campaign. They also have loads of experience in this tournament and know a lot about getting the job done in these latter stages, just ask Manchester City.