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Liverpool v Athletico Madrid Betting

LIVERPOOL v ATLETICO MADRID BETTING - 4th November. This match may be shown on Sky Sports

Liverpool’s next Champions’ League outing sees them host a Group D fixture with Atletico Madrid, with whom they recently drew 1-1 at the Vicente Caldron stadium, Madrid. Given their performance in Madrid, Liverpool will be hot favourites for the return fixture. The two teams, both unbeaten, top the group with 7 points each, and Paddy Power rate the Reds a 1/500 chance to advance from the group with Athletico Madrid at 1/40. With PSV Eindhoven having broken their duck with a 2-0 win over Marseille, it may not be a two-horse race, but the Anfield fixture must surely determine the group winners. Liverpool are currently 12/1 to win the Champions League with Bet365.

Previous Meetings

Prior to their recent encounter in Madrid, the two sides had never met. Liverpool, unbeaten in their last 15 matches, quickly settled into a decent rhythm and were by far the dominant force in the first half. After 14 minutes, skipper Steven Gerrard combined with Robbie Keane to unlock the Athletico offside trap, Keane slotting the ball home past ‘keeper Franco. The Reds, who looked like the home side, could have easily doubled their lead before the break. However, Irishman Keane missed a great opportunity from a Gerrard cross.

Atletico, coming off the back of three domestic league defeats, looked woefully short of attacking ideas in the first 45 minutes. The only first half excitement they provided for their fans was a 25-yarder from Diego Forlan after 40 minutes, which was just wide of Pepe Reina’s far post. Otherwise, the Liverpool ‘keeper could have safely read the evening paper for the majority of the first period. Under-pressure Athletico coach Aguirre substituted star striker Sergio Aguero for Luis Garcia at the start of the second half. The change lifted the Athletico side, who twice came close shortly after the break. Forlan actually had the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Within minutes, Simao produced a brilliant save from Reina. Liverpool became increasingly sloppy in the second half, and paid the penalty in the 83rd minute. Simao, unmarked in the Liverpool penalty area, was picked out by a precise Forlan pass and drilled home a low shot to level at 1-1. Indeed, Liverpool could have lost, with Reina producing another excellent save from a Miguel volley.

The result did not do just to the balance of play and Liverpool coach, Rafa Benitez, was deeply disappointed, considering it to be 2 points lost rather than a point gained. He is anxious to avoid the same scenario in the return fixture on 2nd November.

Key Players

Liverpool

Robbie Keane
Much-travelled “second striker” Robbie Keane signed for Liverpool in July 2008. Keane boasts impressive career statistics of 171 goals from 455 appearances for Wolves, Coventry, Internazionale, Leeds, Spurs and Liverpool. He scored his first goal for Liverpool in the Champions’ League win against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield and doubled his Reds’ European tally with a 14th minute strike against Athletico Madrid.

“Pepe” Reina
“Pepe” Reina, real name Jose Manuel Paez Reina, was signed by Rafael Benitez in July 2005, as he continued his Anfield rebuilding scheme. Despite doubts surrounding Reina, ironically the son of famed Athletico Madrid stopper Miguel Reina, he answered all his critics with a string of solid performances, following his move from Villareal. Agile, confident and a dominant force in the penalty area, he is an excellent goalkeeper, described by Benitez as “the best goalkeeper in Spain.”

Atletico Madrid

Simao
Simao Pedro Fonseca Sabrosa, commonly referred to as Simao, a Portuguese international for nearly a decade is a gifted right winger. Prior to his late strike securing Madrid a point from their recent home encounter with Liverpool, his only other Champions’ League goals came in the 2005-06 season against Manchester United at Old Trafford and Liverpool at Anfield. Renowned for his dribbling ability, he is a free kick and penalty specialist. However, he can also be a valuable defensive asset.

Diego Forlan
Diego Martin Forlan Corazo is a Uruguayan international striker. A former English Premier League winner with Manchester United in 2002-03, he signed for Villareal in August 2004, becoming La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals and helping his team to their maiden Champions’ League qualification. He joined Athletico Madrid in August 2007 and has scored 26 times in 57 appearances, including 3 from 4 in European competition.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds