Toni Kroos and Aurlien Tchouameni, two crucial midfielders for Real Madrid, won’t be travelling to Liverpool with the team, but Karim Benzema has been called up.
The Ballon d’Or winner from the previous year, Karim Benzema, missed Saturday’s victory over Osasuna due to an injury hit campaign.
The 35-year-old, who has 14 goals this season, returned to training before Tuesday’s Champions League match at Anfield, and as a result, he has been added to Carlo Ancelotti’s travelling party.
Madrid won’t be able to use Kroos or Tchouameni, though.
The two injured players did not participate in the game against Osasuna and were not on Madrid’s roster, which was announced on Monday.
Ancelotti will be hoping Kroos and Tchouameni return to fitness in time to face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday in LaLiga, with a Copa del Rey Classico against Barcelona following on March 2.
Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in last season’s Champions League final, a match that was overshadowed by policing issues outside of the Stade de France.
Vinicius Junior scored the only goal as Thibaut Courtois turned in a fine display to help Madrid claim a 14th European crown.
The second leg of the last-16 tie will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 15.