Atletico Madrid Could Be Without Two Forwards for Liverpool Champions League Clash
Atletico Madrid could head into Wednesday night’s Champions League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield without two attacking options.
Diego Simeone’s side are returning to Merseyside for the start of their European campaign, just as they did last season. On that occasion, Liverpool secured a dramatic 3-2 victory after Virgil van Dijk scored a stoppage-time winner.
For Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, the match will mark his first experience of managing in the Champions League, and the latest team news from Spain could provide some encouragement ahead of the encounter.
Sorloth and Ortiz Set to Miss Anfield Trip
According to reports from Marca, Alexander Sorloth is unlikely to recover from injury in time to feature against Liverpool, with the Norway international still not expected to return.
Atletico will also be without Arnau Ortiz. The forward is suspended due to 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 has yet to serve the resulting suspension.
Despite those absences, Simeone still has plenty of attacking quality available.
Giuliano Simeone can provide danger from the right, while Alex Baena has already scored three goals in four appearances this season. Liverpool supporters will also remember Marcos Llorente’s impressive record at Anfield, having scored twice on each of his previous visits to the stadium.
Atletico have made a mixed start domestically, collecting seven points from their opening four games before suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Liverpool, meanwhile, picked up their first win of the season against Ipswich last Friday. However, the Reds also have attacking absences of their own, with Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa currently sidelined.
With both sides dealing with injury concerns, another fiercely contested Champions League battle is expected at Anfield. Liverpool will be hoping their attacking strength can once again make the difference and help them start their European campaign with another victory over Atletico Madrid.
