Connect with us

News

One major blow, one major boost – Double injury update as Liverpool travel to face Atletico Madrid tonight

Thiago Alcantara.

Liverpool face Atletico Madrid this evening and have received one boost and one injury blow as Jurgen Klopp plots his team to face Atletico Madrid.

The Merseysiders are fresh off a confidence-boosting 5-0 win over Watford and if they display a similar ruthlessness at the Wanda Metropolitano, they could put on a real show.

That said, Diego Simeone’s side is defensively brilliant and like Liverpool, they have only conceded six league goals this season but Reds fans will remember all too well how Jan Oblak and co. frustrated them in the knockouts in 2020.

Jan Oblak.

Klopp will be glad to hear that Fabinho and Alisson will return to the side tonight after travelling to Spain directly from international duty to avoid quarantine in the UK.

That said, the Liverpool Echo reports that Thiago Alcantara was not in training on Monday and so will miss the Champions League group stage clash with Atleti but he could face Manchester United on the weekend if he returns to full training in time.

That’s the major blow. The major boost to Klopp’s selection options is that Curtis Jones was back in training and so the Scouser could come straight back into the side if Klopp decides to recall the youngster.

He was in fine form before the international break where he picked up a groin injury and if he can return with the same rich vein of form, it would be a welcome boost to Liverpool’s chances of picking up wins against Atletico and United.

PORTO, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 28: Curtis Jones of Liverpool FC in action during the UEFA Champions League group B match between FC Porto and Liverpool FC at Estadio do Dragao on September 28, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Due to Thiago and Jones being injured and Fabinho being unavailable due to the UK’s red-list quarantine rules for travellers returning from Brazil, Klopp had to select Naby Keita and James Milner alongside Jordan Henderson.

Ultimately, the midfield performed really well and Liverpool won 5-0 but Atletico Madrid are a much stronger side than the Hornets and so Klopp will be very mindful of who he selects in the middle of the park.

Must See