Julian Alvarez will not feature for Atletico Madrid in their Champions League opener against Liverpool. The Argentine forward, who has been a regular under Diego Simeone since joining from Manchester City in 2024, is sidelined with a knee problem. USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso also misses out through injury.
Simeone has named a 22-man squad to make the trip to Anfield, with Alvarez and Cardoso the most notable absentees. The likes of Thiago Almada, Jose Maria Gimenez, and Alex Baena have also been left out. Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, will be looking to make a strong start at home, while Atletico face an uphill task without two of their key players.
Alvarez picked up his injury during Atletico’s recent 2-0 win over Villarreal. He started the game but was forced off at half-time after suffering a knock to his knee. Despite not completing the match, he still managed to provide the assist for Pablo Barrios’ opening goal. His creativity and energy will be sorely missed against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
As for Cardoso, the American midfielder had only recently joined Atletico in a $35 million (£25.7m) move from Real Betis. The 22-year-old has already impressed in La Liga, but he sustained a sprain during training on Monday. That setback rules him out of traveling with the team to Merseyside.
The timing is tough for Simeone’s squad, who face a packed schedule. Just four days after taking on Liverpool at Anfield, Atletico must turn their focus back to La Liga. They’ll be on the road again, this time visiting Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Atletico’s domestic form has been inconsistent so far, with only one win from their first four league games. That leaves them sitting 11th in the table, far from where Simeone wants them to be. Balancing Champions League and La Liga duties won’t be easy, especially with injuries already taking a toll.
Still, Atletico remain a dangerous opponent on the European stage. Even without Alvarez and Cardoso, Simeone’s men will be determined to frustrate Liverpool and snatch a result at Anfield. Their resilience and experience in big matches have defined them for years, and this opener is another chance to prove it.
The Bigger Picture: Atletico’s Early Season Challenges
Atletico Madrid’s absences ahead of their Champions League opener highlight the challenges Simeone’s side faces early in the season. Losing Julian Alvarez, a key attacking presence, and Johnny Cardoso, a high-profile summer signing, weakens their depth just as fixtures begin to pile up.
Injuries are always part of football, but timing matters—and for Atletico, it couldn’t have come at a worse moment.
The club is already under pressure in La Liga, sitting mid-table with only one win from their opening four matches. That form raises questions about consistency, especially with rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid starting stronger.
Dropping points in the league while struggling in Europe could quickly derail Atletico’s season.
On a broader scale, this situation reflects the balancing act modern clubs face between domestic and European commitments. For Atletico, progressing in the Champions League is essential—not just for prestige, but also for financial stability and global reputation.
Missing key players against Liverpool may set them back, but it also provides a chance for others in the squad to step up. If Simeone can steady the ship, these early setbacks could serve as valuable lessons that strengthen the team in the long run.
