Diego Simeone has vowed that his Atletico Madrid side will aim to trouble an “extraordinary” Liverpool as he expressed his admiration for Anfield.
The Reds kick off their Champions League campaign on Wednesday evening with a home clash against an injury-hit Atletico, who are missing five key players.
Having masterminded a famous win for the Spaniards at Anfield in the round of 16 back in 2020, Simeone is unfazed by the challenge ahead.
“We need to look at the positive side,” he said. “The players coming in have a chance to show what they can do.
“Missing players is part of the game. We are focused on the ones who can play tomorrow.
“We play against an extraordinary opponent in a magnificent stadium with unbelievable fans, a coach that took his team to the top level. They competed very well in the Champions League last season and won the league.
“We have a tough opponent but we will try to hurt them in the game tomorrow whenever we can.”
Former Manchester City striker Julio Alvarez, sidelined with a knee injury, is among the players who have not travelled for the upcoming fixture. Thiago Almada, Jose Maria Gimenez, Alex Baena, and Johnny Cardoso are also absent.
Atletico Madrid head into the game buoyed by their first victory of the season, a 2-0 La Liga win at home against Villarreal over the weekend.
Diego Simeone also heaped praise on both Arne Slot’s work at Liverpool and the unwavering support of the Reds’ fans.
“We play a fantastic opponent in a stadium I love,” he said.
“Liverpool are direct, very quick transitions, they interpret the game in a very simple way, they use their wide players and they have a wonderful centre-back who can knock ball around.
“Simplicity of the game isn’t something everyone sees. It shows you how hard they work and how good their footballers are.
“It will be a tough game and a difficult game.
“I’m sure we will have the intention of bringing the game where we want it to go.”
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