Atlético return to Anfield in search of another treasure
Simeone’s team aspires to repeat their 2020 victory to secure their future in the Champions League
MADRID, 2 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid returns to Anfield, the scene of one of the best days in its recent history, to face Liverpool on Wednesday in the fourth day of the Champions League (9:00 p.m.), aware that if they repeat a feat they will take a step very important towards the playoffs.
Rearmed after its resounding victory against Real Betis (3-0) in the national championship, Atlético turns its sights to Europe, where it still has a lot to fight to reach the round of 16 in the three days remaining to close the group stage.
Liverpool, with full victories, has the classification very on track and everything indicates that the second ticket will be decided between Atlético and Porto, both with four points, while AC Milan, with its scoreboard at zero, he knows he needs a big comeback to avoid elimination.
Of the three games that the mattress team is missing, which will later host Milan before closing their journey at the Estadio do Dragao, they know that the most demanding is the next one against a rival who already conquered the Wanda Metropolitano two weeks ago (2- 3) and that seems to have regained the shine it brought to the European throne in 2019.
It was precisely Atlético who made him lose that privilege in his last and celebrated visit to Anfield (2-3), where he cut down the champion in the round of 16 with a double from Marcos Llorente, who will not be able to revive that night because he is still injured and is one of the five safe casualties that Diego Pablo Simeone drags.
In addition, Thomas Lemar and Geoffrey Kondogbia remain in the infirmary, while Antoine Griezmann, like Stefan Savic, will not be able to play due to suspension. The absence of the Frenchman opens the door of ownership to Ángel Correa forming an attack with Joao Félix and Luis Suárez, the Uruguayan wanting to score in what was his home for four seasons (2010-14) and who keeps a bad memory of his last visit with the 4-0 that brought down FC Barcelona from the 2019 European final.
THE GREAT MOMENT OF SALAH
Before traveling to England, Simeone avoided entering the dialectical war with his colleague Jurgen Klopp, who has repeatedly reiterated his dislike of Atlético’s style of play. “I have my codes and I do not think of how the rivals play,” he has settled the issue, making it clear that he focuses on purely sports.
In this regard, Liverpool is coming off an unexpected draw at home against Brighton (2-2), a match that came to dominate by two goals, but that result does not cloud their great start to the season that keeps them undefeated in both competitions, although it is three points behind Chelsea, leader of the Premier.
The person most responsible for these good results is Mohamed Salah, who continues at a high level and is the top scorer in both the Champions League (5 goals) and the Premier (10). The Egyptian, recent author of a hat-trick at Old Trafford, will once again lead the team’s fearsome offensive trident.
By contrast, Klopp struggles in midfield, where he has the safe casualties of James Milner, Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott. In return, the German coach has been optimistic about the possibilities of Fabinho and Thiago Alcántara, who have returned to training normally and will be available.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
LIVERPOOOL: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones; Wrong, Mané y Firmino.
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID: Oblak; Felipe, Giménez, Hermoso; Trippier, Koke, De Paul, Carrasco; Correa, Luis Suárez and Joao Félix.
–ÁRBITRO: Danny Makkelie (NED).
–STADIUM: Anfield.
– TIME: 21.00 / Movistar Champions League.