Kylian Mbappe taking the lead role for Real Madrid in the Liverpool encounter

Real Madrid face a crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool on Wednesday, but they’ll do so without their star winger, Vinicius Junior, who is sidelined with an injury. This puts the spotlight squarely on Kylian Mbappe, the club's marquee summer signing, to spearhead their attack. The French superstar, who joined the Spanish giants amid much fanfare, has experienced a challenging start to his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, dealing with both on-field adjustments and off-field pressures. However, Mbappe showcased glimpses of his brilliance in Real Madrid's La Liga victory over Leganés on Sunday, finding the net for the first time in five matches. Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid's experienced manager, deployed Mbappe in his preferred left-wing position for the first time since his arrival, and the decision paid off handsomely. The 24-year-old opened the scoring at Butarque, reminding fans and critics alike of his explosive potential.

With Vinicius absent, the responsibility of leading Madrid’s attacking charge falls on Mbappe's shoulders. The Liverpool tie presents a perfect stage for him to make a decisive impact and solidify his status as a key figure in Ancelotti's system. As Real Madrid aim to maintain their dominance in Europe, all eyes will be on Mbappe to deliver a performance worthy of his reputation. His recent goal could be the spark that reignites his form, and the timing couldn’t be more critical for Los Blancos.

Vinicius Junior absence for the next three weeks places added pressure on Kylian Mbappe to step up as Real Madrid’s key attacking force, starting with the high-stakes Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield. While Mbappe scored in Madrid’s recent La Liga win against Leganes, it was Vinicius who crafted the chance. Now, with the Brazilian unavailable, Mbappe must shoulder the responsibility of driving Madrid’s offensive play.

The task is daunting, especially with Liverpool leading the Champions League group. Holders Real Madrid find themselves in an unfamiliar position, sitting 18th after unexpected losses to Lille and AC Milan in their first four matches. In these games, Vinicius was a standout, netting four times, while Mbappe has managed just one European goal this season. Domestically, Mbappe's seven goals in 12 La Liga appearances reflect a solid start, but his overall performances have not yet met the sky-high expectations associated with his superstar status. Adding to the scrutiny, the French forward was omitted from his national team’s squad for the past two international breaks.

"I think I put in a good performance, I'm starting to get up to speed with my team-mates. 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," said Kylian Mbappe in a recent interview.