Ancelotti gives Karim Benzema update ahead of Liverpool tie

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that captain Karim Benzema will be fit for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash with Liverpool. 

Real Madrid hold a considerable advantage over Liverpool in the tie following a comprehensive 5-2 win over Liverpool at Anfield, partly thanks to a brace from Benzema. 

The Frenchman had been an injury doubt ahead of the return leg at the Bernabeu after an ankle injury ruled him out of Real Madrid’s LaLiga win over Espanyol over the weekend. 

Speaking ahead of the second-leg tie, Ancelotti confirmed that Benzema will be fully recovered and will be completely fit against Liverpool. 

Ancelotti said during the pre-match press conference, “On Wednesday, Karim Benzema will be 100%,” also saying, “He came back for the collective training on Sunday, and he had done some good work sessions before. He’s at full strength, motivated. For Karim, for the club, this is a very important competition.”

Ancelotti will be overjoyed to have Benzema fit for the tie after the Frenchman was instrumental in the first-leg victory over Liverpool, scoring twice and assisting another at Anfield. 

Benzema has been crucial to Real Madrid’s successes in recent times, typified by his 15 goals in the 2022/23 season as Los Blancos claimed their 14th UCL crown.