Atletico Madrid face a major setback ahead of their Champions League trip to Anfield on Wednesday, with forward Julian Alvarez reportedly ruled out of the clash through injury.
After a slow start in La Liga, Atletico earned their first official win of the 2025-26 season following the international break. On Saturday, the team secured a 2-0 victory over Villarreal, with Alvarez playing a key role by assisting Pablo Barrios for the opener in the 9th minute. Yet the match ended on a worrying note for the Argentine.
Softfootball reported that in the first half against Villarreal, Julian Alvarez suffered a minor knee strain and was substituted at halftime, with coach Diego Simeone bringing Alexander Sorloth in.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has revealed via his official Facebook page that the Argentine forward will not be part of the traveling squad for the midweek Champions League showdown against Liverpool in England.
According to Romano, the player has been ruled out of the crucial fixture, a development that comes as a significant setback for his side ahead of Wednesday night’s high-profile clash at Anfield. The post reads:
BREAKING: Julian Alvarez is OUT for the Champions League game vs Liverpool on Wednesday. He has knee discomfort and will not travel.
Since joining the La Liga side from Manchester City last season, Alvarez become the focal point of Atletico’s attack. In his debut campaign, he appeared in 57 games, scoring 29 goals and providing eight assists, including a controversial Champions League penalty that prompted a rule change.
Beyond Alvarez’s setback, head coach Diego Simeone faces additional challenges due to recent fitness issues. Against Villarreal, David Hancko was forced off in the 83rd minute and is likely to join Thiago Almada, José María Giménez, and Álex Baena on the sidelines.
Similar concerns arose for Nicolás González and Robin Le Normand, who were also substituted, though both responded well post-match and are expected to be available. Still, Atletico will enter the Liverpool clash missing several key players, putting added pressure on the squad.
Liverpool, meanwhile, come into the match after winning last season’s Premier League and starting 2025-26 with four wins in four games. After spending more than half a billion dollars in the summer transfer market, the Reds are viewed as major UCL contenders, making Alvarez’s absence a significant blow for the visitors.
