Real Madrid suffer another major injury blow with key player out for a month

Real Madrid confirm that Sergio Ramos has suffered a muscle injury while with Spain on international duty and reports suggest he will be out of action for a month.

Liverpool travel to Spain to face Real Madrid in just five days and with Eden Hazard, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde and Dani Carvajal already doubtful to face the Reds, Zinedine Zidane will be stressing over the fitness of his squad.

The above players are all key players but Ramos is the most important player at the club and his presence at the back was decisive in each year Los Blancos won the trophy between 2014 and 2018.

A statement on the Real Madrid website reads: "Following the tests carried out today on our captain, Sergio Ramos, by the Real Madrid medical department, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury to the internal calf in his left leg. His recovery will be monitored."

Spanish reporter Alfredo Martinez suggests that Ramos will be out for a month which rules him out for both legs. The injury means that Salah will not face up against the centre-half and takes a little bit of drama out of the fixture which will be disappointing for any neutrals watching the clash.

It also means Virgil van Dijk and Ramos, the two highest-rated defenders in the world, will be missing from a game that will see just one European heavyweight progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Liverpool, meanwhile, head into the clash with very few injury complaints, with the only major absences being van Dijk, Joe Gomez and captain Jordan Henderson.

With the Reds struggling domestically, the Champions League offers them a chance to salvage a season that has seen them capitulate in the Premier League title race, with Manchester City certain to win the league again.

There are still several top sides in the tournament so even if they beat Real Madrid, winning the competition is not guaranteed.

Chelsea, Porto, Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and PSG are all potential opponents that could end their hopes of winning a seventh Champions League title.