Liverpool boss Arne Slot set for awkward reunion vs Atletico Madrid after furious bust-up

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Arne Slot is set to be reunited with Atleitco Madrid boss Diego Simeone in Liverpool's opening Champions League game(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Arne Slot is set to be reunited with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who angrily confronted the Liverpool boss during a previous encounter.

After Feyenoord sealed a 2-1 win in added time, a frustrated Simeone shoved Slot, prompting players and coaching staff to step in, as he mistakenly believed the future Liverpool boss was mocking him.

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"At that moment, at the end of the match, I turned to Simeone to tell him how passionate he was even in a friendly match," he said ahead of Feyennoord facing the same opponents in the Champions League two years ago, as reported by talkSPORT.

"Then, he misinterpreted the smile I had at that moment and pushed me.

"I would never say stuff like that about a fellow manager."

While a late goal from Feyenoord’s Naoufal Bannis had settled their first meeting in a friendly, Slot’s side enjoyed no such fortune in their subsequent meetings with Atletico, losing both of their Champions League clashes in the 2023/24 campaign.

Meanwhile, Liverpool last met the Spanish side during the 2021/22 group stage, recording a 3-2 away win and a 2-0 victory at home.

Arne Slot and Diego Simeone's sides met in the Champions League two years after the shoving incident(Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Simeone previously masterminded victories over Liverpool in 2020, winning both legs to knock Jurgen Klopp’s side out at the round of 16.

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When discussing Almada’s injury, Simeone said: "Footballers are athletes; these situations can happen in any national team.

David Hancko and Robin Le Normand were also substituted with suspected injuries.

Diego Simeone celebrated a win over Liverpool at Anfield in 2020(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

While Liverpool head into their first Champions League game in high spirits following four successive wins in the Premier League, it has been a more mixed start for Atletico.