Atletico Madrid could be without 5 players vs Liverpool

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Image Credits: Imago Images

Liverpool’s flawless start to their season faces perhaps its sternest test yet when Atletico Madrid visit Anfield on Wednesday evening, as the Reds kick off their Champions League campaign against a Spanish side battling a mounting injury crisis.

Arne Slot’s men dominated the previous season’s Champions League league phase, finishing top of the 36-team table with an impressive 21 points from eight matches.

The Reds won seven of their eight league phase encounters, including memorable victories over AC Milan (3-1), Real Madrid (2-0), and Bayer Leverkusen (4-0).

Their commanding performance in the league phase earned them automatic qualification to the Round of 16, though their European journey ended in heartbreak.

Despite topping the table, Liverpool’s first-place finish was for nought as they faced eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain, losing on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate scoreline.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid arrive off the back of a 2-0 win over Villareal on Saturday in La Liga – but Diego Simeone’s side suffered casualties in the clash.

Julian Alvarez, who had provided the assist for Pablo Barrios’s opening goal, was withdrawn at half-time as a precautionary measure after picking up a knee problem.

The Argentine striker finished as Atletico’s leading scorer last season with 29 goals and seven assists.

Marca reported that the former Manchester City man is at risk of not featuring at Anfield.

David Hancko, who arrived from Feyenoord in the summer, lasted just eight minutes before limping off with a heavy knock to his right ankle.

The Slovakian defender’s injury adds to Atletico’s mounting defensive woes, with the club already missing Jose Maria Gimenez through injury.

Robin Le Normand provided the most alarming moment of Saturday’s match, leaving the field with visible discomfort in the back of his thigh.

While the French defender has since been cleared to play, his fitness remains a concern for a side already stretched thin.

We already relayed reports from Spain that summer signing Alex Baena, who joined from Villarreal for a reported fee of up to £42.5 million, will be out for the clash.

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