Gareth Bale injury: Real Madrid star ruled out of Champions League clash with Liverpool

World's most expensive player picked up an injury on international duty

Bale is out injured (Getty Images)

Liverpool have been handed a huge boost ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield after Gareth Bale was ruled out with injury.

The world's most expensive player is also a doubt for Saturday's El Clasico showdown with bitter rivals Barcelona, though some reports suggest he may recover in time for that match.

The £87m forward was an unused substitute during Real Madrid's 5-0 win over Levante on Saturday after picking up a gluteal muscle injury while on Wales duty last week

Speaking after the win on Saturday, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said Bale will be evaluated in the next few days.

He said: "[Bale] had a problem in his glute.

"He wasn't comfortable so we preferred to not risk it for this game and we will evaluate it in the next few days. He wasn't left out due to rotation.

"We now have a few days to evaluate the situation with Bale, Karim Benzema, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and all those that were out for this game.

"I think we are arriving well into this week. We had a difficult game to prepare here, but we played very well and seriously. We were very concentrated and it all went well.

"Now we have time to, firstly, recover some players, and then think about the game on Wednesday."

Liverpool, of course, will still have to face the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Co at Anfield.

Real Madrid trail unbeaten Barcelona by four points in La Liga, with Luis Suarez likely to make his debut after a serving his four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.