Mbappe takes reins for Real in clash against Liverpool

With Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior injured for the Champions League clash at Liverpool on Wednesday, superstar summer signing Kylian Mbappe will become their key attacking weapon.

The France captain has endured a tough start to life in the Spanish capital, on and off the pitch, but found the net for the first time in five matches at Leganes on Sunday in La Liga.

Mbappe was started on the left wing in his favoured role by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the first time and rewarded the Italian by opening the scoring at Butarque.

However the chance was created by Vinicius and with the Brazilian out for over three weeks, Mbappe will be responsible for stepping up and providing Madrid’s attacking edge in the games ahead, starting at Anfield.

Liverpool lead the Champions League group table with holders Madrid down in 18th after surprise defeats by Lille and AC Milan in their first four matches.

Vinicius hit four Champions League goals in those games while Mbappe has found the net just once in Europe.

While seven La Liga strikes in 12 appearances is not a bad record, Mbappe’s performances have left something to be desired given his superstar status.

The French forward, left out of his country’s squad in the last two international breaks, believes he is finding his footing slowly but surely.

“I think I put in a good performance, I’m starting to get up to speed with my team-mates,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the win over Leganes that took the Spanish champions second in La Liga.

“I can play in every position and I’m ready to help the team and give my all...

“I play on the right, on the left, in the middle and with two up top. It doesn’t matter to me. I want to help the team and score goals.”

Madrid coach Ancelotti had been resistant to giving Mbappe time on the left ahead of Vinicius, who also prefers to play on the flank than through the middle. However with Mbappe finding the net just once in seven matches as a central striker before the Leganes game, the coach decided to tinker his plan by swapping the duo, although he said the decision was based on a fitness issue.

“Playing on the outside is more tiring than through the middle, Vinicius returned from international duty on Thursday and Mbappe was fresher than Vinicius,” said Ancelotti.

Liverpool’s old guard thriving despite uncertain futures: Arne Slot can seemingly do no wrong as Liverpool manager but uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold is casting a shadow over a spectacular season.

The Dutchman has won 16 of his 18 matches to make light of a predicted hangover after Jurgen Klopp’s emotional farewell at the end of last season.

Salah, 32, has spearheaded the flying start with 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

Yet the Egyptian further fuelled speculation over where he will be next season after scoring twice to beat Southampton 3-2 on Sunday, saying he is “more out than in”.

Salah, captain Van Dijk and homegrown hero Alexander-Arnold, 26, are out of contract at the end of the season and can begin speaking to foreign clubs in just over a month’s time.

Van Dijk, 33, revealed last month he has started talks about extending his deal.

Alexander-Arnold could be facing his future employers in midweek, with Madrid understood to be keen on making him their next big-name signing to arrive for free.

Rather than destabilising Slot’s start to life at Anfield, the chance for potentially one last shot at glory has galvanised Liverpool’s old guard.

“I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well,” said Salah.

Motta’s injury-hit Juve struggling to fire ahead of Villa trip: Juventus head into Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Aston Villa in the midst of an injury crisis and as yet unconvincing form under new coach Thiago Motta.

Handily placed in the Champions League table and unbeaten in Serie A, Motta can be reasonably satisfied with his first few months in the pressurised environment of Italy’s most widely supported club.

His arrival, after taking Bologna to their highest league finish since 1971 last season, was supposed to mean a clean break from the dreary, defence-minded football of his predecessor Massimiliano Allegri. Juve backed their new man with a summer clear out of a large chunk of Allegri’s old guard which was accompanied by hefty spending to rebuild the squad.

Agence France-Presse