Atletico Madrid will head to Anfield without their star forward Julian Alvarez for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Liverpool. The 25-year-old Argentine, who was Atletico’s Player of the Season for 2024/25 after netting 29 goals in 57 games, suffered a knee injury during the weekend win over Villarreal and hasn’t recovered in time.
Alvarez was substituted at half-time in that match, raising immediate concerns. Initially, there was hope it was just a precaution, but Diego Simeone’s official 22-man squad list confirmed his absence on Tuesday. This is a major setback for Atletico, who had relied on the former Manchester City striker’s pressing, creativity, and clinical finishing to challenge the Premier League champions.
Interestingly, Liverpool had previously considered signing Alvarez in recent transfer windows. Now, however, they will face Simeone’s team without having to contend with one of Europe’s hottest forwards.
Atletico’s Injury Woes Deepen
The bad news doesn’t end with Alvarez. Atletico will also be missing several other key players:
Jose Maria Gimenez (muscle injury)
Thiago Almada (not fit enough to travel)
Alex Baena (injured)
Johnny Cardoso (ankle sprain)
Additionally, Robin Le Normand, David Hancko, and Nico Gonzalez were all forced off during the Villarreal game. Although they are traveling with the squad, their participation depends on late fitness tests, with Hancko expected to miss out after limping off shortly after coming on.
This leaves Simeone with a significantly weakened squad. While Atletico are known for their resilience and squad depth, losing so many important players hampers their attacking options and overall balance. The burden of leading the attack at Anfield will likely fall to Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata, with Alexander Sorloth, fresh from a 41-goal season, expected to contribute as well.
Liverpool Enter in Good Shape
In contrast, Liverpool head into the match in relatively strong condition. Under Arne Slot, the Reds have shown promising form this season and arrive with momentum. With five matches scheduled over a little more than two weeks, squad rotation will be important, but Liverpool’s depth appears stronger than Atletico’s.
Andy Robertson is pushing for a start at left-back after returning from injury, while Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley offer options at right-back. Midfielders remain hopeful Alexis Mac Allister will be available despite a knock suffered in the win over Burnley. Up front, new signing Alexander Isak could make his long-awaited Champions League debut, adding excitement for home fans.
Liverpool are nearly at full strength, with only Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic unavailable. Given their strong squad and attacking firepower, they are well-positioned to exploit Atletico’s injury troubles.
Tactical Impact of Alvarez’s Absence
Alvarez’s absence will change the dynamics of the game. Simeone heavily depends on the Argentine’s ability to press from the front, stretch opposing defenses, and create space for Griezmann. Without him, Atletico might need to adjust their tactics, possibly focusing more on compact defense and counter-attacks led by Morata or Memphis Depay, if fit.
For Liverpool, missing Alvarez removes one of the main threats in transitions—an area where Atletico have often excelled in Europe. Recent encounters between these two sides have been tight affairs, with Atletico knocking Liverpool out in 2020 before the Reds returned the favor in 2021. Alvarez’s energy and goal threat would have been key to Simeone’s plan, so his absence is a significant loss for the Spanish side.
The Anfield Factor
Anfield has long been a fortress on European nights, and this game is no exception. With the passionate home crowd behind them, Liverpool will aim to take control early and capitalize on Atletico’s injury woes. According to Opta’s prediction model, Liverpool are among the favorites to win the Champions League, and a strong start against a weakened Atletico side could reinforce that status.
Still, Simeone’s teams are never easy opponents. Known for their discipline, defensive solidity, and frustrating style, Atletico will rely on Griezmann’s leadership to inspire a gritty performance.
The Bigger Picture
This match marks the start of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign and tests how Arne Slot’s squad handles a demanding September schedule. For Atletico, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate their resilience despite missing key players.
While Alvarez’s absence may tilt the odds in Liverpool’s favor, Simeone’s teams are famed for thriving under adversity. The Argentine coach will demand high work rate and collective effort to compensate for the missing quality.
For Liverpool, however, this is a golden chance. With their squad nearly intact and an injury-hit opponent, anything less than a dominant display at Anfield would be a missed opportunity.
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