**Liverpool look set to be without Alexander Isak for the much-anticipated Champions League clash with Real Madrid this week, following a new update from Paul Joyce.**
Arne Slot’s side host the Spanish giants on Tuesday night, in the next chapter between two great European rivals over the decades.
For Liverpool, it is a crucial game in their efforts to reach the Champions League knockout rounds, with last month’s 1-0 defeat away to Galatasaray giving them some work to do.
The injuries are beginning to rack up a little for the Premier League champions, with the likes of Alisson and Isak the most high-profile recent absentees.
Now, writing on [_X_](https://x.com/_pauljoyce/status/1985323010723614800) on Monday, Joyce confirmed that Isak didn’t take part in team training, suggesting that he will miss out against Madrid at Anfield:
_“Alexander Isak misses Liverpool training ahead of Real Madrid. Curtis Jones back with group.”_
Isak simply hasn’t been able to get going in a Liverpool shirt yet, having arrived without a proper pre-season behind him, followed by picking up an injury.
It is far from ideal for both the Reds and the Swede, who will no doubt be desperate to show the fans why he is the most expensive signing in the Reds’ history.
For now, Hugo Ekitike looks likely to continue leading the line, with the Frenchman Liverpool’s most successful summer signing so far, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo expected to be on either flank against Madrid.
That said, Slot may be tempted to start Florian Wirtz, potentially using him in a left-sided role instead of Gakpo, with the midfield-three of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai needing to continue.
Meanwhile, the back-line will almost certainly consist of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, but Slot needs to decide between Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkez at left-back.
The former did well in Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Aston Villa in the league, and given the latter’s struggles at Liverpool so far, playing the Scot arguably makes more sense, with his experience key on a big night at Anfield.