Liverpool handed Kylian Mbappe update as Real Madrid star faces race to return from injury

Liverpool’s stars are likely to face Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League in November – despite the striker currently being sidelined through injury.

The Reds welcome Spanish giants Real Madrid to Anfield in late-November as part of their Champions League group stage schedule. And there was some hope that Real would be without their star forward.

Mbappe was withdrawn during Tuesday’s 3-2 win La Liga against Alaves. Speaking after that game, boss Carlo Ancelotti allayed fears over a long-term injury.

The Italian said: “He’s okay. He’s a little sore. He asked for the substitution to avoid problems. He is already very well and so are we.”

But despite Ancelotti’s confidence that Mbappe would not be sidelined for an extended period, he will be out for a little while. Reports in Spain have suggested that the former PSG star will be ruled out for around three weeks after picking up a thigh injury.

That will see him miss a host of games for Real, including upcoming showdowns with Atletico Madrid, Lille and Villarreal. Should Mbappe recover as expected, he will return around mid-October, which would see him be available for a trip to Anfield in November.

Mbappe only joined Real Madrid in the summer on a free transfer after seeing his PSG contract expire. He endured a slow start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu but now has seven goals in nine appearances after a great run of form.

While Mbappe will be keen to take to the pitch, the striker’s family will anxious for him to play at Anfield. The 25-year-old had previously confirmed that he held talks with the Reds over a potential move to Merseyside, with his mum in particular a fan of the club.

As quoted by The Telegraph, he said: “I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool I don’t know why, you will have to ask her! It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club.”

While Liverpool will have one eye on their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, they have a number of assignments before that game. The Reds take on West Ham in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday ahead of a clash with Wolves.

They then welcome Italian side Bologna to Anfield for their second Champions League game of the season. Arne Slot’s side got their campaign off to the perfect start with a comeback win against AC Milan.