Liverpool can make Champions League statement as Atletico Madrid face crisis ahead of Anfield clash
Liverpool are back in Champions League action at Anfield this week as they take on Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the first game of the league phase.
Eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain knocked Liverpool out on penalties in the round of 16 last season, and Arne Slot will hope to take his side further.
Liverpool are the favourites to win the Champions League after a summer of heavy spending, and record signing Alexander Isak is in line to make his debut against familiar opposition in Atletico on Wednesday.
The Reds now have a chance to make a statement after winning their first four Premier League games, with some key players for the opposition set to miss the game.
Julian Alvarez to miss Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Atletico will be without their star striker in former Manchester City attacker Julian Alvarez, after the World Cup winner came off at half-time in their victory over Villarreal.
Liverpool reportedly wanted to sign Alvarez before his move to Atletico, but City refused to do business with a title rival.
- Alvarez scored 36 goals in 103 games for Man City.
- The attacker departed as he could not start regularly over Erling Haaland, despite his talent.
The Argentinian appeared against Liverpool five times for Man City, scoring twice, with Alvarez netting on his debut in the Community Shield in the same game as Darwin Nunez.
The 25-year-old has been outstanding for Atletico, scoring 30 goals in 61 games, and will be sorely missed by Diego Simeone at Anfield.
Alvarez has started the season well, averaging two shots per game as per Sofascore, and Liverpool will find it much easier to shut the opposition out without him.
Liverpool can hammer Atletico Madrid amid crisis
On paper, Atletico Madrid will be one of Liverpool’s toughest opponents in the first phase of the Champions League, but they are facing them at the perfect time.
Atleti’s 2-0 win over Villarreal was their first victory of the season, after suffering their worst-ever start to a La Liga campaign with a loss and two draws in their first three games.
Simeone spent heavily over the summer, but new signings Johnny Cardoso, Alex Baena and Thiago Almada are also missing the trip with injury, while defender David Hancko is a doubt.
Long-serving centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez is also absent, and Atletico will line up at Anfield with a weakened defence and attack.
This gives Liverpool the perfect opportunity to start their campaign perfectly with a heavy win over tough opposition, and can gain revenge after Atletico’s win at Anfield in 2020 knocked Jurgen Klopp’s champions out of the Champions League.
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