Liverpool won’t train at Bernabeu as Benzema, Mendy are back for Madrid

Liverpool have decided against training at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday ahead of facing Real Madrid on March 15.

Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to Madrid on the back of a 5-2 last 16 first leg defeat at Anfield last month, with the Premier League side needing a massive turnaround to revive the tie, against the defending champions.

However, Klopp has opted against a training session at Real Madrid’s home stadium, ahead of the match, in a break from normal Champions League protocol.

Visiting sides often accept the chance to train on the pitch, before playing on it, but Klopp’s squad will train in Liverpool, before flying to Spain on Tuesday.

As per reports from Mundo Deportivo, Klopp and his players are not due to land in Madrid until 7pm local time, and will miss the chance to train.

Klopp and a selected player will fulfil their UEFA media duties at the stadium upon arrival and they will remain in Madrid overnight after the match.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s injury woes are moving in a positive direction ahead of their midweek Champions League clash with Liverpool.

As part of their preparations for the clash, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for caution over key players returning from injury, with Karim Benzema not risked in their 3-1 La Liga win over Espanyol last weekend.

Ancelotti confirmed ahead of that fixture that Benzema would start against Liverpool, with reports from Marca confirming the Frenchman has now completed successive training sessions, with no issues.

Defender Ferland Mendy has also returned to full fitness, but Ancelotti will make a late call on whether to include him in the starting line up, with veteran David Alaba expected to miss out on a squad return.