Atletico Madrid could be without as many as seven of their stars for next week’s Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool– with Kieran Trippier denied a chance to gain some European revenge on the Reds.
England defender Trippier played the full 90 minutes on his last Tottenham appearance as Jurgen Klopp’s side won the Champions League final at Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in June.
The European champions return to the Spanish capital next week in remarkable form, having won 24 of their 25 Premier League matches this season to stand on the cusp of a first English top-flight title in 30 years.
In comparison, Atletico have struggled in La Liga by their own very high standards.
(Image: TOLGA BOZOGLU/EPA-EFE/REX)
Diego Simeone’s side had won just 10 of their 23 league games, and are 13 points off leaders Real Madrid.
They remain fairly tight at the back though and like Liverpool have conceded just 15 league goals this season, but they have scored just 23 compared to the 60 netted by the Reds.
One of the key reasons for that has been the injury issues suffered by attacking trio Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Former Chelsea forward Costa has been out with November with a slipped disc, although he has returned to training with the squad, Spanish publication AS say he only has an “outside chance” of making next week’s first leg.
Morata, another former Chelsea man, pulled a groin muscle in the defeat to Real Madrid earlier this month and may not be risked in Friday’s trip to Valencia, while Portuguese youngster Felix is definitely out of that game with a muscle injury.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Trippier, who has impressed since moving to Spain, has undergone surgery on a groin issue and is definitely out of the first leg, with AS also rating him as “unlikely to be available” for the Anfield return on March 11.
Centre-back Jose Gimenez is another doubt having missed the last four La Liga games, although he is being assessed ahead of the Valencia game.
Santiago Arias and Hector Herrera also remain doubtful, although both are in contention for Friday’s clash.
