Real Madrid has suffered a serious injury setback as Vinicius Junior will not travel to Liverpool for the UEFA Champions League. In the last moments of Real Madrid’s 3-0 La Liga victory against neighbors Leganes over the weekend, the Brazil international sustained a hamstring injury. After setting up Kylian Mbappe for the first goal, Vinicius Junior was penalized for injury at full time and will now miss the match at Anfield on November 27.
Kylian Mbappe, who was instrumental in Real Madrid’s triumph over Leganes, is now the sole option for the left flank center. Rodrigo is also out and injured, so Ancelotti will have to deploy the reserves for the right wing. It will also be easier for Endrick to play as an attacker in the back, where he will be positioned as an assertive striker.
Limited options to replace Vinicius against Liverpool
For six straight games that Vinicius will miss, Carlo Ancelotti will have very few options, but it might be a lucky break for Mbappe to play the left flank, which is his preferred position. Naturally, throughout the season, the former PSG player has been a central striker. If he moved to the left, Ancelotti would have to find someone to take his place at number nine.
It has been suggested that Madrid move to a 4-4-2, which they have done occasionally this season, because starting an untested Endrick against the Reds would be risky. In that scenario, Mbappé would be expected to continue attacking, with Díaz or Güler providing cover from behind.
