The knockout stages are within touching distance for Liverpool as they bid to make it four wins from four in Group B. A win over Atletico Madrid, or a point and dropped points by Porto against AC Milan will take Jurgen Klopp’s side through. If the Reds win and Porto do not, they will be guaranteed top spot.
Still, Klopp may feel it is too early to start thinking about the last 16 when the Spanish champions stand in their way. Liverpool may have won in the Wanda Metropolitano last time out, but they were certainly given quite the test by Diego Simeone’s side, who came back from two goals to reach 2-2 before being reduced to 10 men and conceding a last-minute penalty. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
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Viewing information
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 3 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Anfield — Liverpool, United Kingdom
TV and live stream: Paramount+
Odds: Liverpool -154; Draw +280; Atletico Madrid +450 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid
Storylines
Liverpool: Even as some players return to contention, Liverpool’s midfield continues to look some way short of full strength. Klopp confirmed that both Fabinho and Thiago trained Tuesday and the form could make a more immediate return to the starting XI, though the latter’s lengthy spell of the sidelines suggests he ought to be eased in.
That is easier said than done when Naby Keita, Harvey Elliott and James Milner all remain unavailable. In the worst-case scenario, Klopp may be forced to name a trio anchored by Jordan Henderson with the youthful Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has slid far down the pecking order, ahead of him.
Atletico Madrid: Remarkably, much of the talk around Atletico’s arrival in England centers on whether Diego Simeone will shake hands with his opposing manager at full time. He does not tend to but it is perhaps considered the done thing in England, an acknowledgement that battle is over and the mutual respect now reigns.
“I don’t like the greeting after the match because they are the emotions of two sides in different emotional minds,” said Simeone in his pre match press conference. “I know in the U.K. it is a custom but I don’t share it and I don’t like the falseness it may include. I don’t know Klopp as a person very well but I know he is a great coach who has done great work at every club he has been at.”
Prediction
Liverpool have wobbled in advantageous positions in recent weeks but even if they do they have the strength in depth to overcome Atletico. PICK: Liverpool 2 Atletico 1
