Karim Benzema is fit to face Liverpool in the second leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with the Reds.
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed at his pre-game press conference that the French striker is “100 per cent recovered” for the game at the Bernabeu after he sat out the weekend win over Espanyol.
Madrid have had to carefully manage Benzema’s fitness this season with the 35-year-old previously a doubt for the game at Anfield before hitting a brace to swing the tie in Real’s favour.
Real will be without David Alaba for Wednesday’s game, with the fit-again Ferland Mendy named in the squad to compete with Nacho Fernandez and Eduardo Camavinga at left-back.
Ancelotti praised the Frenchman despite an error that led to Espanyol’s early goal on the weekend.
“Camavinga is very important, he's doing very well,” the Madrid boss told reporters.
“In the last game he obviously made mistakes, but by playing so well he makes us forget about all the bad things. Against Espanyol he made a big mistake, but then he played very well.
“He is untouchable today and he will be untouchable in the future as well.”
Toni Kroos is also in line to feature against Liverpool after he was withdrawn during the second half of Los Blancos’ win.
“I think that he did well against Espanyol,” added Ancelotti. “What happened is already completely forgotten, he is in a good moment physically. Sometimes changes are made for fresh legs.”
