Player Lionel Messi called ‘spectacular’ now at risk of missing clash against Liverpool
Liverpool are gearing up to face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday but Diego Simeone has a major injury headache to deal with.
Alexis Mac Allister is also a doubt for Liverpool after he was withdrawn against Burnley following Lesley Ugochukwu’s awful challenge on the midfielder.
While the Reds have enjoyed a perfect start to the season with four wins from four games, Atletico Madrid have just five points from their opening four matches. In fact, after a defeat and two consecutive draws, the La Liga side tasted victory for the first time on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Villarreal.
Arne Slot revealed when Alexander Isak could make his Liverpool debut but he will not play this week as he continues to improve his fitness following his move to Anfield.
Julian Alvarez hands Atletico Madrid major injury concern
After his 29 goals and eight assists in the 2024-25 season, Julian Alvarez is one of the most feared attackers on the planet.
The 25-year-old forward now faces a race against time to prove his fitness after being withdrawn during Atletico’s win over Villarreal.
Diego Simeone substituted Alvarez at half-time as a precaution, as per the Liverpool ECHO.
Speaking after the win, the Atletico boss addressed reporters on the fitness of his star forward.
“Until he wakes up tomorrow and gets through his first few hours after the discomfort he had,” Simeone said. “We hope it’s nothing and we trust he’ll be back in top condition as soon as possible.”
Posting on Instagram, the player has dropped a hint that suggests he may well make the starting lineup.
His post caption reads: “Happy about the victory. Now focused on the first Champions League match.”
Liverpool wanted to sign ‘spectacular’ Alvarez
Although it would be preferable to see how Liverpool stack up against a top, fully fit European side, if Alvarez misses the game it will massively increase their chances of winning.
In December 2022, Lionel Messi was giving a post-match interview after Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to book their place in the World Cup final. The former Barcelona icon raved about Alvarez after he scored two goals following Messi’s 34th-minute penalty.
Messi said: “Every player did very well. But if I have to choose I would give the man of the match award to Julian Alvarez. He had an extraordinary game.
“Nobody imagined Julian would have the participation and importance he has shown. The help he has given us has been absolutely spectacular.“
In another world, Liverpool could have signed Alvarez this summer and not Isak. The Merseysiders were considering him as a Plan B in the event Newcastle hung onto the Swede.
While he may not be at Anfield as a home player, time will now tell if he will be there this week with Atletico.