Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Sports Mole rounds up all of Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Real.

Nunez tried to carry on for a few minutes before being substituted, and while Klopp is hopeful over his availability, he will undergo further assessment ahead of Tuesday's crunch clash. © Reuters [Jurgen Klopp](/people/jurgen-klopp/)'s men were defeated by Los Blancos in last year's final, and they finished second behind Napoli in Group A to set up a tie with the reigning champions.

Rafael Benitez has told Jurgen Klopp which team he should pick for Liverpool's huge Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

When they can pass and avoid the press and play in behind they are very dangerous.’ ‘I’m glad he gave minutes to [Diogo] Jota and [Roberto] Firmino. MORE : [Ian Wright calls Southampton star James Ward-Prowse ‘one of the best ever’ after shock win at Chelsea](https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/18/chelsea-arsenal-legend-hails-southampton-star-after-shock-win-18306174/?ico=more_text_links) [beating Newcastle on Saturday evening](https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/18/loris-karius-set-to-start-newcastles-carabao-cup-final-vs-man-utd-18306219/), courtesy of goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool are eighth in the table and six points off the top four. It is a crucial game for the Reds as the Champions League is the only major trophy left that they can win, and victory in it could be there only way of qualifying for the competition next season.

Rafa Benitez believes Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium could be key to who wins their Champions League clash with Liverpool.

By the time the game at the Bernabeu rolls around, things might be different. “If I was the manager, I’d put my best players now with confidence and quality. It depends on what he has in his head in terms of how can he attack Real Madrid, because Real Madrid have an issue at left-back,” the Spaniard explained. “Imagine the game finished 1-0 to Liverpool, the Bernabeu can make the difference, and [Madrid’s] top players. Firmino will be fit, Jota will be fit, Van Dijk will be fit and then you have Darwin. With the away leg to come in March, Rafa told

Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez has suffered an injury to his shoulder with the Champions League last-16 game against Real Madrid just around the corner.

Klopp will address the media for a Champions League press conference on Monday where he will offer another update. [Cody Gakpo](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-player-ratings-newcastle-gakpo-26273942) and [Mohamed Salah](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-playmaker-salah-real-madrid-26273948) looking settled alongside him, Liverpool has found an effective front line that could cause plenty of problems for [Real Madrid](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/real-madrid-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-26215724). [Trent Alexander-Arnold](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-contract-trent-alexander-arnold-26225448), with the Uruguayan emphatically putting the ball into the back of Nick Pope's net. "We will have to see. [Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Newcastle as Cody Gakpo hopes realized and three excel](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-player-ratings-newcastle-gakpo-26273942) [Klopp](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/diogo-jota-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-26271896) said after the full-time whistle.