Atletico Madrid travels to Anfield on Wednesday for another Champions League encounter on Merseyside, as Liverpool looks to start the European campaign in an ideal way
Julian Alvarez will be available for Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez will be available for Atletico Madrid(Image: (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
Atletico Madrid will be missing three players from its traveling squad to face off with Liverpool in the Champions League, but Julian Alvarez looks set to feature for the side.
It follows some drama surrounding the striker's future over the summer, as a very public dispute between the Rojiblancos and Barcelona ensued. Alvarez made it clear that it was his dream to join the Spanish side's rivals in the transfer window, with statements made suggesting he was willing to do anything to push through a move.
Despite his plea to leave the club, Atletico Madrid made it clear that the former Manchester City star wouldn't be allowed to join Barcelona, though plenty of links pursued over a switch to Arsenal instead.
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In the end, Alvarez stayed, though his welcome back wasn't well received by the fans.
The Atleti faithful booed and jeered the forward when he was back in the squad at the Metropolitano, making it clear that his public flirting with Barcelona did not go down well.
With a lack of preseason under his belt too, there have been doubts about whether the 26-year-old would be involved in the Champions League opener, but he has been confirmed as part of the traveling party for Atletico.
Alexander Sorloth will not play at Anfield
Alexander Sorloth will not play at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)
Diego Simeone will be without three players, however, with Arnau Ortiz among those unavailable. The winger is unable to feature due to a suspension that has carried over in the competition from two years ago, when he was sent off.
Striker Alexander Sorloth is injured with a thigh problem, with the former Premier League forward not among those who have made the trip to the United Kingdom.
Teenage striker Miguel Cubo has featured twice in La Liga this season with one goal to his name, but he isn't part of the 24-man squad and is expected to feature in the UEFA Youth League clash with the Liverpool U19s earlier in the day.
There are still some notable names in the side, with summer signings Jonathan David and Kang-In Lee likely to feature in the forward line, even if Alvarez isn't welcomed back into the side, while old foe Cristian Romero is with the Rojiblancos after leaving Tottenham.
Full Atletico Madrid squad
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