Huge blow: Two Real Madrid stars ruled out for UCL round of 16 clash vs Liverpool

Topics: Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouamen, Real Madrid, Liverpool, UEFA Champions League

Los Blancos travel to Anfield for the first leg of this thrilling showdown but will be without two key players.

All eyes will be on Tuesday's highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League showdown between Liverpool and Real Madrid as last season's finalists prepare for a rematch in the round of 16.

The first leg of this exciting matchup will take place at Anfield, with Los Blancos making the trip to Merseyside with the sole goal of triumphing at the Reds' home ground. Unfortunately, Carlo Ancelotti has been handed a massive blow as two key players will miss this tie.

They are none other than Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni, both of whom are out due to illness. The German and Frenchman were thus left out of the traveling squad, handing the manager a selection headache.

The absence of Tchouameni is the biggest concern as he is Real Madrid's only dedicated no.6 in the senior squad following the summer sale of Casemiro. In his absence, Eduardo Camavinga will deputize but the former Rennes midfielder has been used as a left-back as well in recent matches.

Valverde, Ceballos, and Modric are three other players who will carry the burden as well in the absence of Kroos and Tchouameni. Furthermore, there was lovely news in another department as Karim Benzema made the trip to Liverpool.

The Ballon d'Or winner reportedly finished last week's 4-0 victory over Elche with slight discomfort but should be ready for the Liverpool tie. This will be crucial as the visitors need to be clinical in the away fixture if they are to progress.

¡Nuestros convocados para el partido @LFC!#UCL pic.twitter.com/TNWG2aHpvm
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 20, 2023

The Merengues have won their last four games in a row but suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Mallorca at the beginning of the month. Additionally, Ancelotti's men will face Atletico in the Madrid Derby straight after their trip to Anfield, thus increasing the importance of Tuesday's result.