Liverpool’s chances of starting their UEFA Champions League campaign with a win have seemingly been boosted by the news that opponents Atletico Madrid will be without two key players due to injury.
It emerged on Tuesday morning that midfielder Johnny Cardoso and former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez will both miss Wednesday’s game in the first round of league phase fixtures.
Cardoso will not travel to Anfield after spraining his left ankle in training on Monday, while Alvarez is unavailable due to the knock that forced him off at half-time in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Villarreal.
Thiago Almada, Jose Maria Gimenez and Alex Baena also miss out with injury issues.
Atletico announced via social media on the eve of Wednesday’s game: “Almada, Gimenez, Baena, and Julian Alvarez — due to the discomfort that forced him to leave the pitch in the match against Villarreal — and Johnny — due to a sprain in his left ankle suffered during yesterday’s training — will not travel.”
How important are Johnny Cardoso and Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid?
Alvarez was Atletico’s leading scorer last season with 29 goals in 57 appearances. He has been a key member of Diego Simeone’s attack since arriving from Man City for £81.5 million in August 2024.
Meanwhile, Johnny has started three of Atletico’s first four games this season following his summer arrival from Real Betis.
Who is in Atletico Madrid’s squad to face Liverpool?
Despite their injury issues, Atletico will still travel to Anfield with plenty of star power in their squad.
The biggest names in the traveling party include Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Conor Gallagher.
Atletico Madrid squad in full
- 1. Juan Musso
- 3. Marco Ruggeri
- 4. Conor Gallagher
- 6. Koke
- 7. Antoine Griezmann
- 8. Pablo Barrios
- 9. Alexander Sorloth
- 12. Carlos Martin
- 13. Jan Oblak
- 14. Marcos Llorente
- 15. Clement Lenglet
- 16. Nahuel Molina
- 17. David Hancko
- 18. Marc Pubill
- 20. Giuliano Simeone
- 21. Javi Galan
- 22. Giacomo Raspadori
- 23. Nico Williams
- 24. Robin Le Normand
- 28. Taufik Senoussi
- 29. Rayane Bounida
- 31. Antonio Esquivel
A graphic showing Atletico Madrid’s squad list ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool in the Champions League
Liverpool favourites to beat Atletico
Arne Slot’s Liverpool were already rated as 3/5 favourites to beat Atletico before news of their opponents’ double injury blow.
The Reds — who are 6/1 joint favourites alongside Barcelona in the outright Champions League betting odds — will likely now fancy their chances even more.
Liverpool finished top of the league phase table last season after winning seven of their eight fixtures — beating AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, Girona and Lille, before losing 3-2 to PSV Eindhoven.
This season, the Reds will face Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid, PSV, Inter Milan, Marseille and Qarabag after Wednesday’s opener against Atletico.
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