February sees the return of the Champions League. Liverpool will take on Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano with the visitors hot favourites. Reports have provided an Atletico Madrid injury update which proves encouraging reading for Kopites.
The media in Spain aren’t giving their local side much of a chance in the tie.
Recently we saw Marca describe Liverpool as “the Machine of Europe” as they praised Jürgen Klopp’s side, saying they are ‘without competition’ domestically.
One of the reasons that many don’t rate Los Colchoneros’ chances is that Diego Simeone has a number of stars struggling for fitness.
According to AS (h/t Sport Witness), Diego Costa has requested to be in consideration for a place in the side despite not being due back until the second leg.
The report also claims that that Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix are ‘expected to play’ with the Spaniard the more likely of the pair, making the Portuguese still somewhat a doubt.
Jose Gimenez has been described as an ‘eternal doubt’ in the Atletico Madrid injury update whilst Kieran Trippier is completely ruled out.
What RTK has to say
This was always going to be a difficult tie for the Spanish side.
The Reds are in emphatic form whilst the Madrid club are struggling, with two losses in their last five they are currently fourth in the table behind Getafe.
Perhaps the most key injury for Atletico is the knock to Joao Felix. Whilst the Portuguese wonderkid hasn’t made the desired impact since his big money move over the summer he is still prone to moments of brilliance befitting his reputation. Having the youngster unavailable would be a huge blow to the hosts’ chances.
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