Arnau Ortiz of Atletico de Madrid with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Atletico de Madrid a
Arnau Ortiz has not been able to play in the Champions League for two years. (Image: etty Images)
Atletico Madrid star Arnau Ortiz has been unable to compete in the Champions League for the past two years, but unsettled striker Julian Alvarez is free to play against Liverpool on Wednesday evening. Diego Simeone named his travelling squad for the trip to Anfield, though Ortiz is forcibly left out.
Meanwhile, Alvarez could feature in Europe following a protracted transfer saga involving Arsenal and Barcelona. Atletico were willing to let the former Manchester City man leave, but only back to the Premier League, and Atletico refused to entertain interest from Mikel Arteta's outfit.
The 26-year-old was booed before and after entering as a substitute for Atletico against Villareal at the Metropolitano Stadium on August 23.
He was omitted from the squad for the following fixture at Sevilla three days afterwards, before again appearing from the bench against Athletic Club, who handed Simeone's side a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.
Yet Alvarez has been included in the delegation heading to Anfield on Wednesday as two clubs that know each other exceptionally well aim to launch their league phase campaigns with victory.
The Spanish side will be without winger Ortiz, who is completing a ban dating back two years after receiving a red card while featuring in the Conference League for Polish outfit Slask Wroclaw.
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Ortiz received his marching orders following two yellow cards during a fixture against Swiss outfit St Gallen in August 2024, and since Slask Wroclaw's European exit, he has been unable to feature in continental competition, leaving his suspension unserved.
Alexander Sorloth is ruled out through injury, while teenage forward Miguel Cubo has been omitted from the squad, though he is expected to feature for the Under-19s side in their earlier clash against Liverpool.
Whether Simeone opts to hand Alvarez a starting berth at Anfield remains to be seen, though the long-serving Argentine manager has maintained that his unsettled star has already been welcomed back into the Atletico fold.
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid leaves the pitch after the match as his own fans boo him over his desire to leave the club dur
Julian Alvarez is able to play against Liverpool. (Image: Getty Images)
Goalkeepers: Oblak, Musso, Esquivel.
Defenders: Romero, Hancko, Pubill, Le Normand, Dominguez, Martinez, Grimaldo, Llorente.
Midfielders: Koke, Hjulmand, Barrios, Mendoza, Cardoso, Vargas, Castillo.
Forwards: Alvarez, David, Lee, Lookman, Simeone, Baena.