Diego Simeone sends 'hurt' Liverpool pledge as he makes emotional Anfield admission

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Diego Simeone, head coach of Atletico Madrid, speaks to the media in a press conference at Anfield on September 16, 2025(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Diego Simeone has vowed his Atletico Madrid side will look to hurt an "extraordinary" Liverpool as he expressed his love for Anfield.

The Reds begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday evening with a home clash against an injury-ravaged Atletico, who are missing five key players.

But having masterminded a famous win for the Spaniards at the stadium in the round of 16 back in 2020, Simeone is not overawed by the task in hand.

"We need to look at the positive side," he said.

We are focused on the ones who can play tomorrow.

"We play against an extraordinary opponent in a magnificent stadium with unbelievable fans, a coach that took his team to the top level.

They competed very well in the Champions League last season and won the league.

"We have a tough opponent but we will try to hurt them in the game tomorrow whenever we can."

Former Manchester City striker Julio Alvarez, who has suffered a knee injury, is among those who haven't travelled with Thiago Almada, Jose Maria Gimenez, Alex Baena and Johnny Cardoso also absent.

Atletico go into the game having earned their first victory of the season with a 2-0 La Liga triumph at home to Villarreal over the weekend.

And Simeone was fulsome in his praise of both the job Arne Slot has done at Liverpool and the Reds support.

"We play a fantastic opponent in a stadium I love," he said.

"Liverpool are direct, very quick transitions, they interpret the game in a very simple way, they use their wide players and they have a wonderful centre-back who can knock ball around.

"Simplicity of the game isn't something everyone sees.

It shows you how hard they work and how good their footballers are.

"It will be a tough game and a difficult game.

"I'm sure we will have the intention of bringing the game where we want it to go."

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Simeone was also asked about the win at Anfield five years ago, in which Marcos Llorente came off the bench to score twice in extra time to help Atletico come from 2-0 down to win 3-2

"The best anecdote I have is Diego Costa," said the Atletico boss.

"He was extremely unhappy in the second half as I'd taken him off and put Marcos Llorente up front.

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"He came up to me at the end of the game and said: 'You have the balls, eh'.