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Andy Robertson of Liverpool and Darwin Nunez of Liverpool arrives for the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium (Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)

Atletico Madrid became the first European side to suffer elimination from the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup on Monday night.

The La Liga outfit clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Botafogo in their final group thanks to a late Antoine Griezmann strike, but it was not enough to progress at their Brazilian opponent's expense as they suffered a group-stage exit on goal difference.

With their participation in the tournament now over, Diego Simeone’s side’s 2024/25 is belatedly officially over.

Kicking off their competitive season at Villarreal on Monday, August 19, 2024, Atletico's campaign ended up lasting a whopping 308 days as they played 58 times in all competitions.

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But they can now enjoy a delayed summer break before reporting back for pre-season, with the 2025/26 La Liga season getting underway on the weekend of August 16-17.

At least one Liverpool player could be in the Atleti ranks by then as Andy Robertson continues to weigh up his future amid interest from the La Liga side.

The 31-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with the Reds and knows he is about to face fresh competition if he remains at Anfield, with Liverpool close to finalising the signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.

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With Scotland looking to qualify for next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Robertson faces a difficult decision as he ponders whether to fight for his place in a World Cup year or move on in search of potentially more regular game-time.

While Atletico are now free to fully focus on their summer transfer business following their exit from the FIFA Club World Cup, the ECHO understands that it will not instantly accelerate a potential transfer away from Liverpool for Robertson, who is taking his time to contemplate his future while away on holiday with his family in the Algarve.

The Scotland captain is currently expected to be part of the contingent that reports for pre-season training on July 7 ahead of the Reds’ first friendly of the summer at Preston North End six days later (July 13).

But should Robertson decide he is open to his move to Atletico Madrid, they will firm up their interest and enter negotiations with Liverpool.

However, Atleti’s Club World Cup exit could help kickstart the striker transfer market into life and help offer clarity regarding the future of one rumoured Reds target and two of Robertson’s current Anfield team-mates.

Liverpool have long been linked with a move for Atletico forward Julian Alvarez, who scored 29 goals in his maiden season with the club after signing from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £81.8m.

The Reds are not the only side to have been mooted as possible suitors for the Argentine ,though, with manager Simeone previously admitting he is not surprised by the transfer interest.

“Everything is logical, I can't imagine any other scenario,” Simeone told La Nacion.

And not just for him, of course, but for everyone.”

While Atletico wish to retain Alvarez, they would certainly not have entertained selling the forward while they were competing in the Club World Cup.

Now they have been eliminated, time will tell if any possible suitors intend to test their transfer resolve.

Meanwhile, the Spanish outfit are also one of the sides who are credited with interest in Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa.

They are not alone, with Napoli also said to be interested in both players.

Instead, former Juventus manager Max Allegri has returned to the club, having previously managed Chiesa in Turin.

Nunez is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.

While moves to Italy currently seem more likely for both Nunez and Chiesa, it remains to be seen if Atletico will firm up their own reported interest in either player following their Club World Cup exit.

Awaiting official offers for the likes of Robertson, Nunez and Chiesa, Liverpool are likely to be in the market for a new forward this summer.

But after completing the £40m signing of Kerkez, they will prioritise balancing the books with their remaining incoming business dependent on who leaves the club.

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Should Nunez and Chiesa indeed move on, the Reds will then be in a position step up their own efforts to bolster their attacking ranks.


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