Julian Alvarez included in Atletico Madrid squad for Liverpool Champions League opener | OneFootball

Julian Alvarez has been named in Atletico Madrid’s travelling squad for Wednesday’s Champions League opener at Anfield, a timely boost as Diego Simeone’s side head to Liverpool.

According to Goal.com, the Argentine forward returned as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 defeat at Athletic Club after briefly missing training amid strong summer interest from Barcelona, with Atletico standing firm on his release clause.

Atletico left Barajas Airport at 10:00 AM, landed on Merseyside at around 12:20 PM, and set up base at The Municipal Hotel. Simeone and a player are due to speak at 5:45 PM before an open session on the Anfield pitch at 6:30 PM.

Simeone is without only two players for the trip, striker Alexander Sorloth continues his rehabilitation and Arnau Ortiz remains suspended from August 2024. Jan Oblak, Koke, Cuti Romero, Jonathan David and Ademola Lookman are all included.

This is the second straight season Atletico start their European campaign away to Liverpool. The Reds have won the last three Champions League meetings with Atletico, who have never lost four in a row to a single European opponent. New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is winless in four competitive meetings against Simeone, with three defeats and one draw.

Atletico aim to respond to their weekend setback and avoid a repeat of last season’s 3-2 reverse at Anfield. Liverpool have never lost an opening European home match across 12 fixtures, so defensive resolve could be decisive in earning early league phase points.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”