_**Pascual Ruiz Arnal, journalist covering Atletico**_
"Atletico Madrid have had a positive start. Despite the defeat in Bilbao, the new signings are adapting to Simeone's system, and the feeling is that the team's play will improve, along with the results. The start of the season is an improvement over last year's.
"Without a doubt, the most exciting signing has been Kang-In. A goal against Malaga and an assist in Sevilla. Many believe he could be a worthy successor to Antoine Griezmann, which is high praise at Atletico.
"Alex Baena also deserves a mention. His performances at the World Cup have given him confidence, and he is proving to be one of the best players in the opening matches.
"I think Simeone will stick to an approach similar to what we've seen since January. Since then, he has favoured a 4-3-3 formation with a target forward and a strong emphasis on play through the flanks.
"It is a team that shifts significantly during matches, dropping into a back three to play out from the back, featuring players who roam freely to help beat the opponent's press."
**Previous meeting**
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The two teams faced each other in September last year, also on the opening matchday of this stage of the tournament, and also at Anfield.
Liverpool came away with three points that night thanks to a topsy-turvy 3-2 victory.
Goals from [**Andy Robertson**](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/andy-robertson) and [**Mohamed Salah**](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/mohamed-salah) put the Reds in control after just six minutes of the contest, but a Marcos Llorente brace restored parity.
Virgil van Dijk's stoppage-time header grabbed a win for the hosts, however.