Liverpool have been handed an early boost ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone’s side expected to be without two attacking options at Anfield.
There is already plenty of history between these two sides, and the latest meeting promises to be another intense European night on Merseyside.
Atletico are returning to Anfield for the second consecutive year to begin their European campaign. Twelve months ago, Liverpool edged a dramatic 3-2 contest after Virgil van Dijk produced a stoppage-time winner.
This time, however, Atletico could arrive without two players who might otherwise have added further firepower to Simeone’s attack.
Atletico facing two attacking absences
According to Marca, Alexander Sorloth is still not expected to recover from injury in time to feature against Liverpool.
The Norway international would represent a significant attacking loss for Simeone, particularly against a Liverpool side that will be determined to start its Champions League campaign on the front foot.
Atletico will also be without Arnau Ortiz.
The forward is suspended because of a European ban dating back to his time with Slask Wroclaw. Ortiz was sent off against St Gallen in the Conference League two years ago and, remarkably, has yet to serve the resulting suspension in a European fixture.
That means Simeone could be forced to reshuffle his attacking options for another demanding night at Anfield.
But Liverpool should not get complacent
The absences are undoubtedly encouraging from Liverpool’s perspective, but writing Atletico off would be a serious mistake.
Simeone still has dangerous attacking players at his disposal.
Giuliano Simeone can provide a threat from the right, while Alex Baena has made an excellent start to the season, scoring three times in his first four matches.
And then there is Marcos Llorente.
Liverpool supporters will need no reminder of the Spaniard’s ability to cause problems on Merseyside. Llorente has scored twice on each of his previous two visits to Liverpool, making him one player the Reds will certainly want to keep quiet.
Atletico arrive with something to prove
Atletico’s start to the domestic season has been mixed.
Simeone’s side have collected seven points from their opening four matches, but Saturday’s 3-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao will hardly have been the ideal preparation for a trip to Anfield.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have finally got their season moving in the right direction after beating Ipswich last Friday.
There is one obvious similarity between the teams, though: the Reds will also be missing attacking options, with Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa unavailable.
So while Atletico may be short of firepower, Liverpool are not entering the game at full strength either.
Another Anfield classic?
Everything points towards another fiercely contested Champions League encounter.
This will be the sixth Champions League meeting between Liverpool and Atletico this decade, and the previous contests have rarely lacked drama.
Liverpool will hope the Anfield factor makes the difference once again.
Simeone’s Atletico may be missing Sorloth and Ortiz, but they remain a dangerous, experienced European opponent with plenty of weapons capable of hurting the Reds.
Still, after the victory at Ipswich and with home advantage behind them, Liverpool have every reason to believe they can repeat last season’s Anfield triumph over Atletico and begin their European campaign with another statement victory.
The stage is set. Anfield awaits.
