From heroic to necessity

Anfield. Atlético returns a year, seven months and 19 days later to the field where they lived their last great European feat. 11-3-2020 the calendar said then, before life as it was known ended, that was the last great game of the old world, pre-Covid. 3-11-2021 says today. Atlético travels in different conditions (it is group stage, not eliminatory) but the same need (follow today’s game live on As.com). It has four points, like Porto that plays against Milan at zero. The classification forces him to add five points of the nine that remain in order not to be in trouble, so as not to turn whatever comes next into unbearable finals. It is bound to the heroic. Like that day. But without his hero that night, Llorente. One of the five casualties of Cholo.

Because Llorente is missing, Lemar is missing and Kondogbia is missing. All due to injury. All important, especially the first two, very titular. And he will also be missing Savic and Griezmann, both sanctioned, both pillars. The most heroic heroic. On the legs of 16 men. If something signed this year it was bench, closet. Today is your time. To prove it.

João and Correa will form a trident with a Suárez with pending beads at Anfield. It is the first time he has returned since that 4-0 that brought him back to its Barça in the semifinals of 2019, deep wound. With a defense of five, the center of the field belongs to Koke and De Paul. In the ears of the latter the ovation of the Metropolitan still resounds on Sunday, against Betis. its mili is over. It is character, quality, remove, circulation and cancherismo. A delight.

Klopp’s pending account

Opposite, Klopp, who chokes cholismo, to which that defeat still hurts, that of Anfield against Atleti that March 11, 2020. A Liverpool that already won 2-3 in the Metropolitano, the previous day. A Liverpool that leads the calm group, nine points. A Liverpool that is once again fearsome. Without defeat in the last 15 official matches, 44 goals in favor, the sharpened trident: Mané, Firmino and Salah. The last very sweet: 15 goals and six assists. Klopp also has casualties. Keita and Milner’s. He could risk Fabinho, but he’s been out for four games even though he’s available. Or bet on Oxlade-Chamberlain. That is your question. All with a purpose. That cholism does not explode again in your face at home, this November 3, a year, seven months and 19 days after that day that still hurts.