"Have to keep a good eye on him" – Thibaut Courtois singles out 'special' Liverpool star who could harm Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League clash
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has showered praise on Mohamed Salah ahead of his team's UEFA Champions League encounter at Liverpool on Wednesday (November 27).
During a recent chat with the Real Madrid Play platform, the ex-Chelsea and Atletico Madrid star was asked to name the Reds star who could be a game-changer. He replied (h/t Mundo Deportivo):
"Salah is a special player. He makes the difference at Liverpool, he is very good and we will have to keep a close eye on him."
Salah, 32, has been in sensational form since the start of the ongoing 2024-25 campaign. He has helped the Merseyside club sit at the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League standings respectively so far this season.
The Egyptian winger has found the back of the net 12 times in 18 outings across competitions for the Reds under new head coach Arne Slot. The left-footed attacker has also registered 10 assists in 1,439 minutes of first-team action so far.
Asked to share his thoughts on the Reds, the Real Madrid star replied:
"Liverpool are a team with a new coach after many years with [Jurgen] Klopp. Now with Arne Slot, they are a very dynamic, offensive team, with the same dynamic... with a lot of pressure, a lot of attacks, good counterattacks and a lot of speed up front."
Courtois, who has kept five shutouts in 13 total games this term, added:
"Playing at Anfield is a plus for them. They will surely be very keen [to beat] us because they lost the final in Paris [in 2022] and the last-16 clashes in 2023. They will want that little revenge and we hope to win."
The Reds are on an eight-game winless run against Los Merengues.
Real Madrid superstar set to miss Liverpool tie
Ahead of their continental clash at Liverpool, Real Madrid have revealed that Vinicius Junior will miss Wednesday's encounter. The Brazilian has picked up an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg and could be out for close to a month.
Vinicius, 24, has arguably been his team's most in-form player this season. He has produced 12 goals and eight assists in 18 overall appearances for his club.
On the other hand, Real Madrid are likely to miss five other first-team players during their trip to Liverpool. Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and David Alaba are all currently recovering from their respective injuries.