Report: Atletico players told team to face Liverpool, three changes from first leg

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Spanish newspaper Marca have claimed that Diego Simeone has told the Atletico Madrid players the eleven he has picked to face Liverpool on Wednesday night at Anfield – and there are three changes from the side that beat Liverpool in Spain.

Saul Niguez scored the only goal of the game in the first leg, with Simeone’s men now tasked with holding onto their lead at Anfield – a stadium renowned for European comebacks, proven by last season’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

Despite many managers in the modern game using a one-striker, three-men midfield systems, Simeone is a reminder of older times – fielding a more traditional 4-4-2 system. He is due to welcome Joao Felix back into the side.

Felix comes into the side, replacing winger Thomas Lemar. Angel Correa, who started up front in the first leg, will play out wide – and Chelsea favourite Diego Costa will partner Felix. £22million (ESPN) set-piece specialist Kieran Trippier comes in for Sime Vrsaljko.

The report claims that such an attacking change, which sees the more-forward thinking Correa replace the defensive Lemar on the wing, means Simeone will look to score – rather than holding Liverpool out for the entire 90 minutes.

That is three changes made by Simeone, then, reading: Jan Oblak; Trippier, Stefan Savic, Felipe, Ronan Lodi; Koke, Thomas Partey, Niguez, Correa; Costa, Felix.