Simeone admits Alvarez unrest still unsettling Atletico ahead of Liverpool trip

Diego Simeone has admitted that Julian Alvarez’s turbulent situation is still disrupting Atletico Madrid’s preparations ahead of their Champions League opener against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.

Alvarez, 26, endured a difficult summer after Barcelona lodged a formal bid to sign him, with Arsenal also registering interest. Atletico rejected both approaches, but the fallout has lingered — the forward has been booed by his own supporters, missed training through illness, and has managed only two substitute appearances since the season began.

Simeone confirmed that Alvarez is not yet ready to lead the line, compounding Atletico’s attacking concerns. Fellow strikers Jonathan David and Alexander Sorloth are also doubts for the trip to Merseyside. “Jonathan arrived very recently and couldn’t play the other day against Athletic Club due to a problem,” Simeone said. “Julian is still developing; I don’t see him starting yet, but he’ll help us as the game progresses.”

On Sorloth, the Argentine coach added: “He has this injury that’s keeping him from playing. We need him; he’s important, whether it’s for 90, 60 or 20 minutes. He gives us things we don’t have in the team right now. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon.”

Simeone acknowledged that the squad is still finding its footing after a hectic window. “We’re in a growth phase, settling in; there are many new players, the situation with Julian, David’s arrival at the end of the transfer window, the national team players who arrived late and nobody cares about them anymore. Little by little, we’ll find our rhythm.”

He also pointed to the significance of this season’s Champions League final being held at Atletico’s own Metropolitano stadium, calling it “very important for the club” while stressing that reaching it would require “incredibly hard” work.

Alvarez’s Argentina teammate and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has also weighed in on the situation. “I did speak to him and sent him a message. I showed him my full support because, apart from the fact that we’re teammates, he’s a friend,” Martinez said. “I’m sure the situation he’s been through and is still going through isn’t easy, but the decision lies with his club and his club’s president. He’s a brilliant player — one of the best in the world.”

With Atletico’s attack stretched and their talisman still short of full fitness, Simeone faces a significant test of his squad’s depth on one of European football’s most demanding away grounds.