UEFA confirm Champions League sanction as Liverpool learn outcome ahead of clash

Real Madrid defender Daniel Carvajal has been handed a two-match ban after his red card in the Champions League opener against Marseille

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal will serve a two-match suspension in the Champions League – meaning he could feature against Liverpool.

UEFA have sanctioned Los Blancos skipper after he was shown a red card for violent conduct in their League Phase opener win over Marseille.

The Spanish right-back was dismissed following a VAR review after appearing to headbutt Geronimo Rulli during their 2-1 victory over Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Consequently, he will miss Tuesday’s clash against Kairat Almaty and the subsequent fixture against Juventus.

Nevertheless, he will be available to face Liverpool on November 4, provided he is fit to play. UEFA regulations state that a player or team official sent off by the referee is automatically suspended for one match in UEFA club competitions.

The governing body can extend the ban if the offence is deemed serious, and in this instance, they applied Article 15, paragraph 1, which covers “assault on another player.”

Therefore, they imposed a two-match ban, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The 33-year-old was sidelined for four weeks after being substituted at the weekend. Carvajal was withdrawn on the hour mark during Real’s 5-2 defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid, and it was confirmed on Sunday that he had sustained a calf injury.

His absence compounds a growing issue in the right-back position for Xabi Alonso, as former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is also unavailable with a thigh injury.

In a statement about Carvajal’s injury, Real Madrid said: “Following tests carried out today on Dani Carvajal by Real Madrid’s medical department, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the soleus muscle in his right leg. His progress will be monitored.”

Both players are in a race against time to be fit for the clash at Anfield, with the England full-back hoping for a swift recovery, though whether he’ll make his Anfield return remains uncertain.

Madrid face the Kazakhstan outfit on Tuesday night as they aim to secure two victories from two matches. They’ll be hoping to have maximum points before they meet Arne Slot’s team again at the start of November on matchday four.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are seeking to recover from their first loss in their Premier League title defence to Crystal Palace when they take on Galatasaray. Oliver Glasner’s side netted the decisive goal deep into added time to hand the Reds their first setback of the season.