Simeone says Julián Alvarez is still developing and will not start against Liverpool

Diego Simeone does not yet see Julián Alvarez ready to start Atlético Madrid’s Champions League opener against Liverpool at Anfield. The coach said the forward remained “in a growth phase” and would likely help during the match rather than begin it.

Jonathan David has only recently arrived and could not play in the buildup to the match because of a problem, Simeone said. Alexander Sørloth also remained unavailable after missing the previous four games because of a muscle injury. Simeone described Sørloth as an important player who gives the team a reference point, whether he plays 90 minutes, 60 minutes or 20.

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In principle, Jonathan has arrived very recently and still has not been able to take part because of a problem he had before the match, and Julián is in a growth phase. I still do not see him starting this Wednesday, and he will surely help us as the match progresses.

Without those options in the starting lineup, Atlético appeared set to use an alternative attack. Álex Baena, Ademola Lookman and Kang-in Lee have featured in recent matches, with Giuliano Simeone joining the forward line when the team pushes forward. Atlético beat Sevilla 3-1 but then lost 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao, conceding twice within 135 seconds at the start of the second half.

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It was a lapse in concentration, and in that lapse we lost a match we had played and controlled well.

Simeone rejected the idea that a lack of motivation caused the Bilbao collapse. “It was a lapse in concentration,” he said, arguing that Atlético had played well and controlled the match before losing it. At Anfield, he expected “a wonderful stadium, an incredible atmosphere and a thrilling start,” and said his team would need to stay strong.

The coach also cautioned against relying on imagined game plans. Coaches may picture pressing high, keeping possession, attacking, finding the third man and filling the penalty area, he said, but the match would be decided by what happened once play began. Simeone also praised Andoni Iraola’s tactical work and said Iraola was gradually finding his path with a team of very good players.

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We will find a wonderful stadium, an incredible atmosphere and a thrilling start to the match, and we will see if we are strong enough to withstand what is going to appear.