Fresh from their continued Premier League dominance, Liverpool face up to a Champions League clash with tough- tackling Atletico this week.
Whilst Jurgen Klopp’s side will be buoyed by the fact that their league campaign is all but a done deal, Diego Simeone has the added pressure of knowing only European glory will be enough to save their campaign.
Well adrift of rivals Barcelona and Real in La Liga, the Madrid side scraped through in the group stage of the competition, managing 10 points – just about in line with every guide to betting on the Champions League
The Group Stages
Whilst the side fought back heroically from two goals down to draw with Juve on Matchday 1, Simeone’s side then won 2-0 at Lokomotiv Moskva and 1-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
With passage to the next round likely, their form took a hit with a 2-1 loss in Germany and 1-0 defeat at Juve; a 2-0 defeat of Lokomotiv in Madrid still left them with enough points to advance.
Not that Liverpool should be complacent. Known for their exemplary work ethic, the 2nd round match will be Atletico’s eighth time they’ve reached the knockout phase – in two of those occasions they reached the final, both times turned over by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real.
As for Liverpool, whilst they may be reaching record numbers at home, the Merseysiders’ European adventure was altogether more rocky.
Liverpool claimed the Group E crown with 13 points, marginly ahead of Napoli who managed a surprise 2-0 victory against the holders on Matchday 1. Liverpool responded impeccably by winning their next three matches, a 4-3 home win against Salzburg and 4-1 away victory on the return, and a 2-1 home win against Genk.
Whilst a tough 1-1 drawn with Napoli at Anfield derailed proceedings. A 2-0 win at Salzburg proved enough to secure their progress.
Team News
What with Joao Felix and Diego Costa still both sidelined with injuries, Atletico are also likely to miss the services of Alvaro Morata
The former Chelsea flop is thought to be missing from the clash picking up an injury in a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the city derby on Saturday.
Whilst the Spanish international is likely to be missing from the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium fixture, he should be fighting fit for the second leg that takes place at Anfield on March 11.
Prediction
Still reeling from losing main-man Griezmann to Barca over the Summer, Atletico are not the powerhouse of 4/5 years ago.
As the feared no nonsense backline and counter attack nullified opponents previously, exits of defensive stalwarts like Diego Godin as left the Madrid rivals as a waterdown version of their previous reincarnation
Saying that, with their menacing Argentinian manager bellowing from the touchline, the work ethic will always be there.
With Firmino, Mane and Salah all available for selection, it’s difficult to see past Liverpool struggling with just a will to win alone – quality should shine through.