Champions League: Will Karim Benzema feature in Liverpool vs Real Madrid? Here’s an update

Real Mrid will kick off ir Round of 16 campaign at UEFA Champions League 2022-23 season, with Leg 1 match against Liverpool on Tuesday night. La Liga giants have traveled to Anfield Stium with a full-power squ, which also features Balon d’Or 2022 winner Karim Benzema. However, re were questions over 35-year-old participation in Champions League clash, as he missed Real Mrid’s 2-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.

While Rodrygo started in place of French striker against Osasuna, Mrid coach Carlo Ancelotti dressed pre-match press conference on Monday and provided a major update about player. Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti revealed that he was only managing Benzema’s minutes ahe of crucial UCL tie. Benzema tably missed France’s campaign at FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar due to a knee injury.

Is Karim Benzema fit to play Champions League match for Real Mrid?

As reported by Mirror, Real Mrid coach Ancelotti said, “I see Benzema looking well. Tomorrow he will start”. Benzema scored a total of 15 goals in 12 games in Champions League 2022-23 and helped Los Blancos to win ir 14th UCL title. He has scored 11 goals in 13 La Liga games this season but is yet to match his tally of 44 goals in 2021-22 season, which earned him prestigious Balon d’Or 2022 trophy.

Meanwhile, Mrid will be without two of ir key players during ir trip to Liverpool. Midfielders Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni are two players that are set to miss exciting match due to fitness issues. Here’s a look at 23-man Real Mrid squ for Champions League Round of 16 match against Liverpool.

Real Mrid squ:

• Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Luis López.
• Defenders: Carvajal, E. Militão, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Lucas V. and Rüdiger.
• Midfielders: Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, D. Ceballos, Mario Martín and Arribas.
• Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Álvaro

Liverpool squ:

• Goalkeepers: Alisson, Kelleher, rian, Mrozek
• Defenders: Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip, Alexander-Arld, Robertson, Tsimikas
• Midfielders: Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic, Keita, Elliott, Milner, Jones, Oxle-Chamberlain, Arthur
• Forwards: Salah, Nunez, Gakpo, Jota, Firmi, Carvalho