Jürgen Klopp’s men face a stern test away from at Athletico Madrid as hostilities returns across Europe.
With the UEFA Champions League back and hoping to be better than the group stages experience we witnessed, we look forward to seeing what these two Champions League finalists will present on the table.
It promises to be interesting more than the Athletico Madrid’s clash with Valencia. The Anfield club may have beaten Daniel Farke’s side 0-1 at the weekend. But Diego Simeone’s men are a first-class team capable of achieving anything against any top side including Liverpool.
On this note, we evaluate three key battles as Athletico Madrid square up with Liverpool.
Koke vs Jordan Henderson
It promises to be a mind-blowing battle between these two midfield specialists as we’ve seen Jordan Henderson pick out substitute Sadio Mane superbly from the midfield. What a (long) pass it was as it led to Liverpool only goal in the fixture (Norwich game).
This quality will be explored as he faces Athletico Madrid midfield star even as the Spaniard aims to mastermind a midfield master class against Liverpool.
He’s got the class and technical awareness as he’s played alongside Spanish midfield best legs (Xavi, Iniesta and Xabi Alonso).
This is why this match promises something special as the two midfield brain get down to work against each other in the central area of the pitch.
Saul Niguez vs Andrew Robertson
The Liverpool defender would have his handful and Saul as the Spanish attacker has got the quality and intelligence to navigate his way past the tightest of defenses.
This is the case for Liverpool as Andrew has contributed to Liverpool’s effectiveness at the back from the left-back position.
But against the trickery of the Spanish talent, Robertson will be needing to understand the playing style of his opponents even as he avoids any form of caution in the danger areas.
Alvaro Morata vs Virgil Van Dijk
This is the epitome of the battle as hostilities returns among the two. The forward already know the hectic battle he’s faced with against Van Dijk as the Liverpool strong man and defender has proven this season.
However, would he be able to track the run of Morata for 90 minutes knowing the forward finishing ability in the box?
His aerial threat is a ball game for Virgil as the defender brings his intelligence and physical strength against the clinical ability that Morata possesses in essence.
