Atletico Madrid suffer injury blow ahead of Liverpool clash

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Image Credits: Imago Images

Europe’s restructured Champions League league phase – expanding from 32 to 36 teams and abandoning traditional groups – begins next week, with Matchday One set for Tuesday to Thursday, September 16–18.

Liverpool will open their 2025-26 campaign at Anfield on Wednesday, September 17, against Atletico Madrid, bidding to start strongly on home soil.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 BST.

Atletico Madrid last visited Anfield in March 2020, famously eliminating the then-holders Liverpool in the Round of 16.

After surrendering a two-goal first-leg lead in Spain, Atletico stunned the Reds 3-2 in extra time at Anfield -Marcos Llorente and Álvaro Morata striking late to seal a 4-2 aggregate victory and end Liverpool’s title defence

Diego Simeone’s side have managed only two points from their first three La Liga matches this season.

Their situation has been worsened by fitness problems affecting their high-profile summer signing Álex Baena, who joined from Villarreal for a reported fee of up to £42.5 million.

Baena has missed their last two games initially due to a low-grade muscle injury, which was later revealed to require surgery.

An Atletico Madrid statement reads:

“Laparoscopic surgery took place normally and the player is well, waiting to begin his recovery in the next few days.”

“Alex Baena has been successfully intervened on Tuesday, September 2, of acute appendicitis.”

“Laparoscopic surgery took place normally and the player is well, but will remain admitted for the next few hours pending hospital discharge and is pending evolution for his return to training.”

Meanwhile, Marca have reported that Baena will be out for around for weeks, meaning he misses the game against Liverpool.

The La Liga side will also not be able to call on defender Jose Maria Gimenez, who has been nursing a thigh injury since the Club World Cup.

View Liverpool’s full League Phase fixtures below:

Atlético Madrid (Home)

17th September

30th September

Real Madrid (Home)

PSV (Home)

Qarabag (Home)