The challenge is still gigantic for Atletico and their coach, to whom all eyes are turned: What will be the proposal? What lineup will be chosen? Will there be a surprise in the lineup? Morata or Diego Costa? Marcos Llorente or Correa? High pressure or intensive retreat? Powerful attack or cautious approach? In Turin, a year ago, it was an unrecognizable team, which fell 3-0. In Munich, in 2016, it resurged to reach the final with a 2-1 defeat against Bayern. In London, in 2014, it won 1-3 to reach the decisive duel of the tournament.
There are enough examples to think about success. Also, the most recent, for the fiasco or the learning of a team that has changed a lot since then and has already shown its ability to defeat anyone in the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano: a 1-0 and a fierce rebellion against the odds that has made Atletico believe again that anything is possible against the current champion of Europe, although the second leg amplifies the challenge to unknown limits.
Atletico needs goals. "We have to try to score," said Saul Niguez on the eve. A goal increases the possibilities of the red and white team, because it requires three goals from their opponent to eliminate them, with all that entails against a rival like the team managed by Simeone, even though the current season is so far below the level that was expected of the team in the summer, when it was a contender for everything and now only survives in the Champions League and in the fight for third place in the league.
Unbeaten in their last six matches, with results that are valid at least for extra time in 35 of their 37 results throughout the season, their away performance is under suspicion: in their 17 matches on rival ground in all competitions, not counting the Spanish Super Cup on neutral ground in Saudi Arabia, they won only four games, drew seven and lost six, with 14 goals scored and 17 conceded.
Simeone already envisages, at the same time, the moment of having all his players available, without suspensions or injuries, for the first time this season to put together a starting eleven and a squad. Perhaps this Wednesday. He is waiting for news on Alvaro Morata, doubtful due to a knock on the thigh; Renan Lodi, who is dealing with muscular discomfort, although he is expected to start; and Thomas Lemar, just back from a three-week absence due to a muscle injury. The coach has traveled with all 23 first-team players to Liverpool for the match.
He has not given any hints about the starting eleven. And there are some unknowns. One in the attack: Morata or Diego Costa, who has not yet started since his return to competition -precisely in the first leg- after three months out with a cervical disc herniation. Joao Felix, scorer twice in the last three matches, is also expected in the starting eleven. Another combination, less likely, could be Morata and Diego Costa up front and Joao on one wing.
In midfield, there are three fixed names: Koke Resurrection, Thomas Partey -returning to the starting eleven after a suspension against Sevilla- and Saul Niguez. A fourth player is missing if Joao plays up front. Ángel Correa -more dribble and more attack- or Marcos Llorente -more pressure and more recovery- are the ones who apparently have the best chances of playing.
In defense, assuming Lodi is likely to start, after his absence against Sevilla, Kieran Trippier in the right-back and Felipe Monteiro in the center of defense are indisputable. Savic also seems to be a guaranteed starter, having started in the last eight matches. The alternative would be José María Giménez, who has not played any of the last ten games, including the last five, since recovering from injury. And the goalkeeper is Jan Oblak, one of the most decisive pieces for the success of the tie that concludes at Anfield...
And it started at the Metropolitano. There, Liverpool's invincibility shown during almost the entire season fell, and the English team has not regained their aura of perfection since then. That stumble in Madrid has left a mark on them. They lost to Watford in the Premier League, their first league defeat, and were knocked out of the FA Cup against Chelsea, although with a lineup featuring many substitutes. In addition, they struggled and won by the narrowest margin against teams fighting relegation like West Ham United and Bournemouth.
The sun does not seem to be shining at Anfield and Liverpool is going through their first rough patch of the season at the worst time, having to overcome a 1-0 deficit against one of the toughest teams in the world.
They will do so with notable absences, such as that of Alisson Becker in goal. The Brazilian goalkeeper, vital in the team's growth since the final in Kiev in 2018, has a muscle injury and will not be available against Atletico, leaving the starting position in the hands of Adrian San Miguel. In addition, there is doubt over captain Jordan Henderson due to a hamstring problem.
However, the absences cannot be a source of hope for Atletico. Last year, against Barcelona and with a much worse scoreline (3-0), they did not have Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, but that did not prevent them from defeating Barcelona 4-0 and knocking them out of the final in Madrid.
The atmosphere at Anfield and the 'You'll Never Walk Alone' will try to intimidate Simeone's team as they did with Barcelona. Jurgen Klopp's team have gone 56 consecutive matches without defeat at home, since they lost to West Bromwich more than two years ago in the FA Cup.