Liverpool required more late heroics to keep their 100% start to the season going at the weekend, filling them with confidence ahead of Atlético Madrid’s visit.
Match News and Current Form
Liverpool needed a stoppage time penalty to inch past newly-promoted Burnley 1-0 on Sunday, with that the fourth game in a row the Reds have won with a goal beyond the 80th minute this term. The six-time European champions now turn their attention to their 17th season in the UCL, and after topping the league phase last term, the Anfield crowd will be expectant here. That’s certainly justifiable too, as last season Liverpool won all four of their home league phase games by a 10-1 aggregate scoreline, including a 2-0 win over Atlético’s city rivals, Real Madrid.
Atlético were struggling with no wins in their opening three matches prior to the weekend (D2, L1), but they got their first win of the campaign against Villarreal on Saturday as they ran out 2-0 winners. Diego Simeone’s men will be hoping to put their early season woes to bed with a positive start to their 13th successive UCL campaign here, something they have a habit of doing considering they’ve only lost one of their last ten opening games of a UCL campaign (W5, D4). Hitting the road likely won’t faze them either, as Atlético won their final three away league phase games last term.
Head-to-Head History
Liverpool won both encounters when these sides met in the 2021/22 group stages. The Reds have won their last four UCL group/league phase games against Spanish teams, while Atlético have beaten Premier League opponents just once in their last eight attempts (D2, L5).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Liverpool have won their last 14 home European group/league phase matches.
Eleven of the last 13 goals in Liverpool games have arrived after half-time.
Atlético Madrid won each of their last five UCL league phase games by an aggregate score of 17-4.
Diego Simeone’s men have scored in 15 of their last 16 group/league phase matches.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz has seen all six of his career UCL goals arrive in the first half. Atlético’s Marcos Llorente stunned Anfield with two goals and an assist in a Round of 16 clash back in 2020, contributing to his record of never losing when scoring (W28, D6).
Curtis Jones remains a major doubt for Liverpool, while Alexis Mac Allister was withdrawn with an injury against Burnley. Atlético will be without defender José María Giménez through injury, while Álex Baena misses out with appendicitis.
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Betting Analysis
Atlético scoring in all their games this season, coupled with Reds’ ability to find a way to win, makes a Liverpool win and both teams to score an attractive proposition.
Author: Peter Stavrinou