Liverpool Vs. Atletico Madrid Preview: Starting Lineups And Team News

Liverpool are about to play the biggest game of their season so far as they look to continue the defence of their Champions League crown against a stubborn Atlético Madrid side.

The team from the Spanish capital have a one goal advantage going into this second leg, and an away goal would leave Jürgen Klopp’s side needing to score three.

This isn’t a scenario where Liverpool have the opportunity to recover a week later if things don’t go their way, and there isn’t another game following this in which they can bounce back. Any bouncing needs to be done now.

As is often the case, Liverpool manager Klopp has called upon the fans inside Anfield for help. Just as Diego Simeone rallied the crowd at the Metropolitano just over three weeks ago, the German will be giving a pre-match team talk to the supporters as well as the players. 

Given the worries around the spread of coronavirus at such events, and the move to playing games ‘behind closed doors’ in many countries, it might be the last chance for a while that Klopp will get to call upon the power of the crowd.

For Simeone it certainly will be, as his side’s next two La Liga games, and possibly more, will be played in an empty stadium.

Klopp’s Pre-Match Message

“Our visitors’ supporters will be passionate and loud,” says Klopp in his programme notes. “Cool! We can be better if we are prepared to work for it. Our visitors’ players will be focused, prepared and hungry. Cool! We can be better if we are prepared to work for it.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to leave any sense of ‘what if’ or even ‘what might be’ outside the stadium. In the stands and on the pitch we need to be in every moment. This is how you create special moments.

“Wanting something isn’t enough. Plenty will want something. We have proved already and we can prove again it’s about ‘doing’. It’s about doing the work and then getting the rewards. Anfield has been our biggest asset for such a long time and we never fall into the trap of thinking it just happens because tickets are sold and gates are opened.”

Many visiting managers and players have spoken about how different Anfield can be on nights like this.

“I’ve never played here as a manager or a player but it is an amazing stadium and you can tell on the TV the fans are amazing and get behind their side,” said Simeone.

“They have had some historic results here, turning matches around, great comebacks.”

It might not be rocking for an early 12.30pm kickoff on a Saturday against Bournemouth, but facing a European power in a game in which Klopp believes his side need to be “nearly perfect” will bring the best from the old stadium and those inside it.

“On nights like this, the Anfield crowd is the ‘transfer’ that no other club can ever acquire, no matter how much they crave it,” Klopp said in his pre-match press conference. 

“It can’t be copied or replicated. It’s special to us. It is ours and we must always cherish its positive impact.

“As always the message to the players and the crowd is very similar. Be yourselves, trust yourselves, embrace the joy of the moment and do your best. It’s all you can ever ask.”

Team News

Liverpool have captain Jordan Henderson available for selection after picking up a hamstring injury in the first leg.

“Hendo is ready but what we do with that, I don’t know… or maybe I know and I don’t say!” said Klopp.

Andy Robertson is also back in the picture after missing Saturday’s win against Bournemouth.

The big blow for Liverpool is that they will still be without one of their best players, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, who was instrumental in keeping them in the Champions League last season.

Atlético also have a number of players back in contention. Thomas Lemar, Joao Felix, Kieran Trippier and Hector Herrera are in the travelling squad after missing the first leg, or picking up an injury during it in the case of Lemar.

Simeone will assess the fitness of Alvaro Morata in training before making the call on whether the striker on loan from Chelsea will play.

“We will look at him in training and we will see how he is then,” said the Argentine.

“You know pretty much what I will be doing. I don’t think our line-up will be far off from what you think it might be.”

Starting Lineups

Possible Liverpool lineup: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Possible Atlético Madrid lineup: Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Felipe, Lodi; Correa, Partey, Saul, Koke; Joao Felix, Morata