Atletico Madrid v Liverpool: Simeone braced for tough night

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says his side cannot focus solely on the "extraordinary" Mohamed Salah ahead of Tuesday's Champions League contest against Liverpool.

Reds setting pace

Atletico are two points behind their opponents after a last-gasp win against AC Milan last time out, but Liverpool have looked a class above their rivals so far.

Salah's form has caught the eye, with the Egypt international scoring in each of his last eight games for the Merseyside outfit.

Klopp has labelled his star forward "the best" player in the world, but Simeone says Liverpool are far from a one-man team.

He told reporters: "Mohamed Salah is an extraordinary player.

"He has been playing at a fantastic level for the last few years with Liverpool and his national team. They are going through a fantastic spell of football, they seem to have a different rhythm, and it is a pleasure to see them play.

"They have no fear to leave spaces at the back. They press high, play a high line, have speed."

Atleti bid to repeat

Atletico do have a history of upsetting Liverpool in the Champions League, having knocked them out of the competition in 2020.

Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara have not travelled to Spain due to injuries, but Fabinho and Alisson Becker are set to start after missing the 5-0 success over Watford.

Atletico defender Stefan Savic is still suspended, but Jose Gimenez, Matheus Cunha and Marcos Llorente are all expected to pass fitness tests.

The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League Group B clash between Atlético Madrid and Liverpool will kick off at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, on Tuesday 19 October 2021 at 9pm local time (CEST).