Desperate Real Madrid hatch surprise plan ahead of crucial Liverpool showdown

Real Madrid apparently have a plan in place for when they travel to face Liverpool in the Champions League. The Reds host the Spanish giants at Anfield on Wednesday night in their next league phase fixture of the competition.

Liverpool have won all four of their opening league phase matches in the Champions League this season and are the only team left in the competition with a 100 percent record. Victory on Wednesday would see the Reds move a step closer to securing a spot in the top eight and booking a place in the last-16 stage.

Before facing Madrid, Liverpool will face Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The Spanish giants are also playing on the same day as they take on Leganes in La Liga.

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According to Relevo, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has a new plan for the team he expects to select for the games against Leganes and Liverpool. It has been reported that Federico Valverde, a recognised midfielder or winger, will play at right-back for Madrid.

Madrid currently have several players on the sidelines with injury, many of whom often play at right-back. Dani Carvajal and Eder Miltao are sidelined for the remainder of the season with long-term knee injuries, while Lucas Vazquez, David Alaba and Rodrygo are also unavailable with injury.

Aurelien Tchouameni, who was a target for Liverpool in the summer of 2022, has been used as a full-back when required instead of his usual spot in midfield. However, the France international is also on the sidelines with injury, leaving Ancelotti with very few options to choose from at right-back.

Valverde is regarded as one of the best players in the Madrid team, and has played all of his games for the club either in central midfield or on the right wing. The 26-year-old is yet to be used at right-back, but the report states that Ancelotti has decided to use Valverde in that position for the games against Leganes and Liverpool.

Should the report be accurate, it would mean that Valverde would go up against either Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo on Liverpool's left wing when they meet in the Champions League. It remains to be seen which player Arne Slot will select in the left wide forward role to face the Spanish giants in midweek.