Julian Alvarez is ruled out of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League opener against Liverpool due to injury. This is a blow for Atletico, who also have other players sidelined. Atletico faces a tough challenge against Liverpool, as well as upcoming matches against Arsenal and Inter.
Atletico Madrid has confirmed that Julian Alvarez will be sidelined for their highly anticipated Champions League opener against Liverpool on Wednesday. This news comes as a significant blow to Diego Simeone's squad, as Alvarez has been a key player for the team.
Alvarez was forced to leave the field at halftime during Atletico's 2-0 victory over Villarreal last weekend. Despite his early exit, Alvarez made a crucial contribution by providing an assist, helping Atletico secure their first win of the season. The nature of his injury was not immediately disclosed, but subsequent medical assessments have revealed that he will not be fit to participate in the Champions League match against Liverpool.
Last season, the 25-year-old Alvarez showcased his prowess in the Champions League, scoring an impressive seven goals in just 10 appearances. His contributions were instrumental in Atletico's journey to the round of 16, where they faced a tough challenge against their city rivals, Real Madrid. Unfortunately, Atletico's campaign came to an end after a penalty shootout defeat.
In the previous Champions League season, Alvarez demonstrated his efficiency in front of goal, averaging a goal every 112.9 minutes. In addition to his goal-scoring exploits, he also contributed with one assist. Atletico Madrid finished fifth in the inaugural league phase, highlighting their competitive performance in the tournament.
Our squad list for our match against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/7vlzm1q4nb
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 16, 2025
Adding to Atletico's woes, Alvarez is not the only player who will be unavailable for the crucial match at Anfield. Johnny Cardoso suffered an ankle injury during training, further depleting Simeone's squad. Moreover, Thiago Almada, Jose Maria Gimenez, and Alex Baena have also been excluded from the traveling squad, compounding the challenges facing Atletico Madrid.
The match against Liverpool is widely considered Atletico's most difficult fixture in the league phase this season. However, their schedule includes another challenging trip to England, where they will face Arsenal in October. Additionally, they are set to host Inter in the following month, making for a demanding series of matches.
Simeone will have to reshuffle his lineup and devise a new strategy to compensate for the absence of key players. The depth of Atletico's squad will be tested as they aim to overcome these setbacks and secure a positive result against Liverpool. The coaching staff will be working diligently to ensure that the team is well-prepared and capable of competing at the highest level, despite the challenges they face.
The absence of Alvarez will undoubtedly be felt in Atletico's attacking play. His ability to find the back of the net and create opportunities for his teammates has been crucial to the team's success. However, Atletico possesses other talented players who will need to step up and fill the void left by Alvarez's absence. The likes of Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix will be expected to lead the line and provide the attacking threat that Atletico needs to challenge Liverpool's defense.
The midfield battle will also be critical in determining the outcome of the match. Atletico's midfielders will need to be disciplined and organized to contain Liverpool's dynamic attacking players. The likes of Koke and Marcos Llorente will be tasked with controlling the tempo of the game and providing a solid foundation for Atletico's attacks. Their ability to win possession and distribute the ball effectively will be crucial in disrupting Liverpool's flow and creating opportunities for Atletico's forwards.
Defensively, Atletico will need to be at their best to keep Liverpool's potent attack at bay. The likes of Stefan Savic and Felipe will need to be resolute and organized in the heart of the defense. They will need to be alert to the threat posed by Liverpool's forwards and ensure that they do not allow them any space or time to operate. Atletico's full-backs will also need to be disciplined and focused, as they will be tasked with containing Liverpool's wingers and preventing them from delivering dangerous crosses into the box.
The match against Liverpool promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Europe's top teams. Atletico Madrid will be determined to overcome the setbacks they have faced and secure a positive result. However, they will need to be at their best to contain Liverpool's attacking threat and exploit any weaknesses in their defense. The tactical battle between Simeone and Jurgen Klopp will be fascinating to watch, as both managers will be looking to outwit each other and guide their teams to victory.
Atletico Madrid fans will be hoping that their team can rise to the occasion and deliver a memorable performance against Liverpool. Despite the absence of key players, they will be confident that their team has the quality and determination to compete at the highest level. The match against Liverpool is a crucial test for Atletico's ambitions in the Champions League, and they will be determined to prove that they are capable of challenging for the title.