HomeNewsSALAH TO TROUBLE ATLETICO?

SALAH TO TROUBLE ATLETICO?

By Vidur Arora

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Updated on:
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Liverpool vs Atletico

 Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool welcome Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid as the second leg of the group stages begins.

 

The Reds would be hoping to secure the top spot in the group , while Atletico will be hoping to pull away from Porto who currently sit behind them only because of goal difference. This clash could prove vital for Simeone’s team’s Champions League campaign.

Liverpool go into this match with a 100% record in the Champions League this season, and look like one of the most dominant teams in the competition.

 

Klopp would still be concerned with the Reds leaky defence which conceded 2 goals to a high flying Brighton in the Premier League on the weekend. Atletico were also able to script a 2 goal comeback against Liverpool in the return fixture.

 The red card to Griezmann was arguably the turning point in that game and Liverpool were slightly lucky to win the game in the dying embers because of Mo Salah’s brilliance.

 

Atletico Madrid would be eager to face Liverpool in this game. They put 3 past a strong Real Betis on the weekend as they cruised to 3-0 victory.  Simeone’s team finally seems to be hitting their stride as they looked dominant against Betis. 

The Argentine would be hoping that his in form players can stretch the Liverpool defence, and an early lead at Anfield could help the defensively astute coach to secure a draw at the minimum.

 

This is bound to be full of emotions as both managers have mutual adoration and do not tend to hold back on the sideline. Look out for some wild reactions from the two throughout the game.

 

TEAM NEWS

 

Liverpool must be elated with the fact that they are not going through an injury crisis this season. But the Reds’ squad does look slightly thin in midfield especially with the injuries to Thiago and Harvey Elliot, the only two players unavailable for this game.  Keita also might miss this clash die to a small niggle.

Probable Line-up(4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones ;Salah, Jota and Mane

 

 The main question regarding Atletico Madrid’s line up would be the formation Simeone deploys. He has used 3 at the back mainly this season and to great effect too. Los Colchoneros would be a little disappointed that they would not be able to call upon last year’s UCL hero Marcos Llorente who changed the game against the Reds in the knockout rounds. A resurgent Thomas Lemar is also out with injury and Griezmann will be unavailable for this game due to his red card.  

Probable Line-up(3-4-2-1): Oblak, Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso; Tripppier, Koke, De Paul, Carrasco; Felix ,Correa and Suarez

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

Mohamed Salah has arguably been the best player in the world since the start of the season. The Egyptian god seems like he is on mission this year. He has already scored 5 in the Champions League in addition to a monstrous 10 in 10 in the league. If Salah stays the course he will surely be the front runner for the 2022 edition of the Ballon D’or.

Simeone will know about the threat he presents and the exceptional wingers individual battles with Atletico’s defender would make the game a fun watch.

 

Simeone will be annoyed with the fact that the talismanic Griezmann will not be available for this game. Felix who will replace him in the starting line up has struggled to live up to his mammoth transfer fee but he is still improving each year the only positive for the Argentine manager. But Suarez and Correa would be ones to watch out for in this game. Suarez returns to his old stomping ground in Anfield where he went on to become one of the best strikers in the world.

Angel Correa on the other hand has come into his own over the last 2 years helping this Atletico side to get out of tight situations and his workrate will be invaluable in this game.

 

PREDICTIONS

 

This game is going to be full of drama! It will be the biggest European night Anfield has hosted since the fans were allowed back in. They will especially be  motivated to spur the Liverpool players on as they look to complete their revenge for last year’s humiliation at the hands of Atletico Madrid. This game is bound have goals to and we can see it ending 3-1 in Liverpool’s favour.

 

 

Vidur Arora
A Swansea City fan, who fell in love with the game watching Joe Allen play. Usually found in the wild with headphones in his ears and bobbing his head. Love his art too.

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