Real Madrid's Gareth Bale 'to miss Liverpool tie, clasico vs. Barcelona'

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Real Madrid's Champions League trip to Liverpool on Wednesday and their clasico clash against Barcelona on Saturday with a buttock injury, according to AS.

The Champions League holders released an official statement on Monday saying the Wales forward has not fully recovered from a problem with his right pyramidalis muscle, as Carlo Ancelotti revealed after Saturday's 5-0 victory over Levante.

AS has been told the 25-year-old will not make the clasico, and Ancelotti could revert to the 4-4-2 he has been using when the Welshman has not been present.

James Rodriguez and Isco could fit into the same team, accompanying Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield.

Real go into Saturday's game trailing Primera Division leaders Barca by four points, with the Blaugrana yet to concede a league goal this season.