CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
It was to be Fernando Torres’ emotional return to his beloved Atletico Madrid, but injury means the Liverpool striker misses out on today’s Champions League Group D match.
Both teams have a maximum six points after overcoming group opponents Marseille and PSV Eindhoven, and a win for either Liverpool or Atletico would almost guarantee a spot in the knockout stage.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard expects a tough game in a hostile atmosphere but said it would not faze the seasoned European campaigners.
“Atletico are a dangerous team. They have built well over the last two seasons and certainly spent their money well,” Gerrard said. “Speaking to our Spanish lads, Fernando Torres and the other boys, they tell me the atmosphere can be electric there. But we have proved over the last few years in Europe what a good side we are.”
Liverpool, unbeaten in the league, will have their most potent striking weapon looking on from the sidelines after Torres sustained a hamstring injury on international duty with Spain last Wednesday.
The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Atletico scoring 75 goals in 174 La Liga appearances before a 32 million euro (US$42.6 million) move to Liverpool in summer last year.
Rafael Benitez, who expressed his annoyance at the international calendar in the wake of Torres’ injury, has the option of partnering Dirk Kuyt with Robbie Keane or putting the versatile Kuyt on the right flank in a 4-5-1.
Atletico are having a difficult time with a 6-1 thrashing by Barcelona followed up by a painful 2-1 derby defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.
But they can take solace from the fact that the game will be played at the intimidating Vicente Calderon after UEFA threatened to move it following the trouble in the last match against Marseille.
Atletico’s French striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle says home advantage is the key against his former club, where he played for three years between 2003 and 2006, and admitted he was relishing taking on some of his old teammates.
“It is so important for us to play at the Vicente Calderon, especially against Liverpool,” he said. “Playing Liverpool is a huge game for us, and having the backing of our fans is fundamental. The absence of Torres is bad news for neutrals, but good for us as we have one less problem to deal with on the pitch.”
Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League winner Luis Garcia is another old boy in the Atletico squad, but is likely to be used as an impact substitute.
The match will have a real Spanish flavor with Liverpool’s Spanish contingent of Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Albert Riera, Xabi Alonso and, of course, manager Benitez, who used to work as youth coach at Real Madrid.
Visitors Liverpool are without Martin Skrtel, Ryan Babel and Torres, Atletico have lost Czech international defender Tomas Ujfalusi to injury after the center-back sustained a thigh injury against Real on Saturday.
Confidence is low after Gonzalo Higuain’s penalty five minutes into stoppage time downed Atletico in the derby but manager Javier Aguirre believes his team are strong enough to bounce back.
“I do not think there will be a mental problem,” Aguirre said. “Our job now is to raise the players and to think about the match with Liverpool. In the Champions League we are doing well and that game deserves our maximum attention.”
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