Real Madrid dealt hefty injury blow, Liverpool and Arne Slot will be thrilled
Antonio Rudiger will miss Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Liverpool in November, thanks to a major injury setback.
Arne Slot’s men have enjoyed a strong start to the new Premier League season, while Liverpool defeated Arsenal 1-0 last time out.
The Reds begin their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, 17 September, while their second home game in Europe sees them face Real Madrid on 4 November.
Meanwhile, Slot is well equipped to perform well in Europe, as Liverpool signed Alexander Isak to conclude a highly successful summer transfer window.
Antonio Rudiger will miss Liverpool v Real Madrid in November
After Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool to join Real Madrid in the summer, the 26-year-old will return to Anfield in November.
However, fellow defender Rudiger will be unable to feature for Xabi Alonso’s men against Slot’s side in the mouth-watering Champions League tie.
Reporting via X on Friday, 12 September, Fabrizio Romano wrote: “Toni Rudiger has been diagnosed with an injury to the anterior rectus of his left leg and will be out for around three months.
“Rudiger will try to be back by December, based on recovery evolution.”
Antonio Rudiger absence is a major boost for Arne Slot
Liverpool know all about the quality that Rudiger boasts, thanks to the centre-back’s previous spell with Premier League champions Chelsea.
| Liverpool results | Premier League 2025/26 |
| 15/08 | 4-2 W |
| 25/08 | 2-3 W |
| 31/08 | 1-0 W |
Meanwhile, since joining Real Madrid from the Stamford Bridge club in 2022, the 32-year-old has won both La Liga and the Champions League.
Liverpool successfully signed Hugo Ekitike and Isak in the summer window, heavily bolstering their attack, while both strikers are more capable of causing Alonso’s side problems now that Rudiger will be absent.
Ekitike’s presence could mean that Isak doesn’t immediately earn a starting spot in Slot’s side, but by the time the Anfield giants face Madrid in November, the 25-year-old will be fully settled into his new club.
The Reds appear set to continue their winning run in the Premier League when they face Burnley on Sunday, 14 September, while bigger tests await when they clash with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, just three days before the Merseyside Derby.
Meanwhile, football commentator Ian Darke has backed Florian Wirtz to excel for Slot’s side in a Liverpool News 247 exclusive.