Álvarez, Atlético Madrid’s low key player against Liverpool in Champions League

Star striker Julián Álvarez was ruled out of Atlético Madrid’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Champions League. A club source reported that the 25-year-old player is experiencing discomfort, without offering further details. Álvarez was substituted at halftime during Atlético’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal in LaLiga on Saturday, after assisting Pablo Barrios to open the scoring. He was replaced by Alexander Sørloth. American midfielder Johnny Cardoso was also excluded from the squad for the match against Liverpool. Atlético will also be unable to count on two of their star signings of the summer, Álex Baena and Thiago Almada.

Álvarez has been a key player for Atlético since he arrived from Manchester City in 2024, scoring 17 goals in LaLiga last season, as well as seven in ten Champions League appearances. In the absence of Álvarez, coach Diego Simeone has Sørloth, Antoine Griezmann, and Giacomo Raspadori as experienced offensive options available at Anfield, as well as winger Nico González.