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Atletico Madrid could be short of options in attack for Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool, with one of Diego Simeone’s forwards serving a ban for an incident that happened more than two years ago and will thus put pressure on Ademola Lookman as they seek a win away from home.
Andoni Iraola takes charge of the Reds for the first time in the Champions League later this week, having picked up his first win as head coach with a 2-0 victory against Ipswich on Friday.
The Spaniard is not expected to have any more players missing following that game, although Wataru Endo has not been included in Liverpool’s European squad after being named on the bench at Portman Road.
His first opponent in the Champions League is a familiar foe for Liverpool, with the Reds having kicked off the league phase against the same opponents last season.
Atletico hasn’t had the best build-up to Wednesday’s game, having lost 3-0 to Athletic Club at the weekend in a result that Simeone admitted was “deserved”.
To make matters worse for the Argentine, he will have to travel to Anfield with a weakened attack. Winger Arnau Ortiz is among those who won’t feature, as he finally serves a ban for an incident back in 2024.
Ortiz was sent off while playing for Polish club Slask Wroclaw in a Conference League qualifier, having received two yellow cards just a few minutes after making his way onto the pitch as a substitute, with his side trying to rescue their tie against Swiss side St Gallen.
He picked up his first yellow for a dive before receiving his second for protesting the original decision, with Slask finishing that game with eight players after two of Ortiz’s teammates were sent off just minutes earlier.
Ortiz has not played a European game since then, having joined Atletico last year and spent the campaign with the club’s B team. Therefore, according to Marca, he will have to serve his suspension this week and miss the game at Anfield.
Ortiz has played in three of Atletico’s opening four games this season, starting the club’s opening game against Malaga, and would have been under consideration to play against Liverpool, given the lack of options at Simeone’s disposal.
Atletico is also without striker Alexander Sorloth, while summer signing Jonathan David is yet to make an appearance after signing on loan on deadline day, and it’s not yet known whether he will be ready to face the Reds.
Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez is expected to travel, although he hasn’t yet made a start for Atletico this season, having tried to force through a move to Barcelona during the transfer window – a ploy which has seen him come under fire from his own club’s supporters.
