Atlético Madrid Lose Arnau Ortiz Ahead of Liverpool Clash

Atlético Madrid arrived at Anfield without forward Arnau Ortiz, who served a red card suspension received in August 2024 while playing for Slask Wroclaw in Poland. The 24-year-old's absence was confirmed shortly before the start of the 2026-2027 Champions League group stage match.

What Led to Arnau Ortiz's Suspension

During the Conference League match between Slask Wroclaw and St Gallen, Ortiz came on in extra time after his team drew 3-3 on aggregate. He received his first yellow card for simulation and was immediately booked again for protesting the referee's decision, which resulted in his expulsion. The punishment prevented the player from participating in any European competition until the end of the season.

How the Absence Affects Atlético Madrid

Arnau Ortiz joined Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2025, coming from Slask Wroclaw after a spell at Girona. In the B team, he stood out with 23 goals and six assists, which earned him a promotion to Diego Simeone's senior squad. So far, he has made three appearances in La Liga, including the opening match against Málaga, where he started. The suspension prevents him from contributing to the clash against Liverpool, reducing the coach's offensive options.

Match Details Between Liverpool and Atlético Madrid

UEFA appointed Italian referee Davide Massa to officiate the match, assisted by Filippo Meli and Alessio Berti, with Matteo Marcinaro as the fourth official. The video assistant referee (VAR) will be Marco Di Bello, assisted by Daniele Chivi. Liverpool takes to the field after beating Ipswich Town 2-0 in the Premier League, while Atlético seeks to bounce back after a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

Expectations for the Clash

Liverpool has the opportunity to debut French forward Bradley Barcola, who joined the club as a two-time Champions League winner but has yet to accumulate minutes in official competitions. The Liverpool coach emphasized the need for caution when introducing the player, who has not played any matches since the World Cup.

With information from talkSPORT, صوت الإمارات.