Real Madrid will welcome Liverpool to the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Tuesday evening for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Los Blancos will definitely be without the services of inspirational captain Sergio Ramos, who picked up a calf injury during the international break with Spain, while Raphael Varane has also been ruled out due to a positive coronavirus test.

This match has also come too soon for both Dani Carvajal and Eden Hazard, but Federico Valverde has made steps forward in his recovery from a muscular problem, and the midfielder has been included in the squad.

Head coach Zinedine Zidane is likely to select a back three on Tuesday, and Ramos's absence means that there should be a start for Eder Militao, while Ferland Mendy could also feature as a centre-back due to Varane's late withdrawal, with Marcelo operating as the left-sided wing-back.

Toni Kroos and Vinicius Junior were both second-half substitutes against Eibar in La Liga on Saturday, but the pair are expected to be in the starting XI for this match.

There are not expected to be any major surprises elsewhere, with the likes of Luka Modric, Casemiro, Thibaut Courtois and Karim Benzema all certain starters.

Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio are both options to start alongside Benzema as part of a front two, but Vinicius should just get the nod, with the Brazilian impressing before the international break.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Mendy; Vazquez, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Marcelo; Vinicius, Benzema

> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this contest

Written by
Matt Law