Key Liverpool star spotted in training ahead of Atletico Madrid clash amid major injury concern
Arne Slot appears to have been handed an important boost before Liverpool take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah’s penalty helped Liverpool to overcome Burnley on Sunday, 14 September, with the Reds clearly yet to hit their stride in the Premier League this season.
Scott Parker‘s side were moments from an unlikely point against the reigning champions before Hannibal Mejbri was cruelly penalised for handball in added time.
The game was full-bloodied, with Lesley Ugochukwu lucky not to be sent off earlier than he was, and Milos Kerkez being replaced by Andy Robertson after just 38 minutes due to his struggles at full-back.
However, Slot should have a full-strength team to face Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday, 17 September.
Alexis Mac Allister spotted in open training after new injury scare
Alexis Mac Allister was on the end of Ugochukwu’s crunching challenge at Turf Moor, and once the players re-emerged for half-time, the Argentine star was nowhere to be seen.
Now, despite the injury scare surrounding the key midfielder, BBC Sport (16 September) have spotted him back in open training with the rest of the squad, including new signing Alexander Isak.
The 26-year-old made 49 appearances for the Reds last season, notching seven goals and six assists across all competitions, becoming almost indispensable for Slot and his staff.
How have Liverpool done against Atletico Madrid in the past?
Liverpool have faced their upcoming Champions League opponents on four occasions in the competition, with both sides claiming victory twice.
The last meeting ended in victory for Liverpool at Anfield, with goals coming from the late Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane, with a Naby Keita goal and a Salah brace claiming victory in the reverse fixture in the 2021-22 season.
Currently, Diego Simeone‘s side are sitting 11th in La Liga, with just one win from their opening four games, and now, Julian Alvarez will be missing from Atletico’s squad due to injury.
The Argentina international haunted the Reds multiple times during his spell at Man City, so with Alvarez unavailable and Mac Allister back in training, Slot surely holds the advantage now.