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Real Madrid defender Daniel Carvajal will serve a two-match suspension in the Champions League - meaning he could feature against Liverpool.
UEFA has sanctioned Los Blancos skipper after he was shown a red card for violent conduct in the team's league phase opener win over Marseille. The Spanish right-back was dismissed following a VAR review after seemingly headbutting Geronimo Rulli during the 2-1 victory.
Consequently, the governing body's ruling means he will be absent for 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 recovers from injury.
UEFA regulations state that any player or team official dismissed by the referee faces an automatic one-match suspension in UEFA club competitions.
The governing body can extend the punishment if the offence is deemed severe, and in this instance, they invoked Article 15, paragraph 1, which covers "assault on another player."
Consequently, UEFA has imposed a two-match ban. The 33-year-old was sidelined for four weeks after being withdrawn at the weekend.
Carvajal was substituted on the hour mark during Real's 5-2 defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid, with Sunday's confirmation revealing he had sustained a calf injury.
His absence compounds a growing concern 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 regarding Carvajal's injury, Real Madrid wrote: "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 battling against time to be available for the clash at Anfield and the England defender will be targeting a swift recovery, though whether he features in his Anfield return remains uncertain.
Madrid faces the Kazakhstan outfit on Tuesday as it aims to secure its second consecutive victory. Los Blancos will be hoping to maintain a perfect record before they meet Arne Slot's team once more at the start of November.
Liverpool, meanwhile, is seeking to recover from its maiden setback in its Premier League title campaign against Crystal Palace when it takes on Galatasaray.
Oliver Glasner's Eagles netted a dramatic winner deep into added time to hand the Reds their first setback of the season.
Despite making an almost flawless beginning as the reigning champion, Liverpool's displays have attracted criticism.
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