One man was supposed to dominate the build-up to this fixture; Liverpool's Fernando Torres, Atlético through and through, had spoken of his delight at the prospect of returning to the banks of the Manzanares for the first time since his 2007 switch to English football.
However, a hamstring injury, his second of the season, incurred during the opening stages of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium has taken the 24 year-old's dream reunion from him.
Instead, focus was shifted elsewhere, onto UEFA sanctions levelled against Atlético due to the despicable behaviour of their supporters last time out
After a promising domestic start, the Atlético Madrid La Liga challenge has been derailed somewhat. Three successive losses have left los Colchoneros in disarray and Mexican coach Javier Aguirre is allegedy one game from the sack as the side flounders in eighth place.
The coach will not be allowed to take his place on the home bench tomorrow evening as a result of UEFA sanctions levelled against the club in the wake of their tumultuous Champions League encounter against Marseille. Although Aguirre will watch from the stands, at least he will be watching from the stands of the Vicente Calderón.
European football's governing body has decided to rescind the stadium ban imposed for the behaviour of the Atlético supporters against Eric Gerets' side in light of the logistic difficulties likely to be encounter by fans travelling to a game more than 300 kilometres from the Spanish capital.
Playing at home will certainly provide a crumb of comfort for a side on a low ebb as will their Champions League form in this campaign so far.
They sit atop of Group D, one goal clear of Liverpool, and impressed in the competition's opening two fixtures, albeit before thier current domestic woes.
PSV and Marseille were brushed aside as the rojiblancos made a devastating return to the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade. However, they come into the match against the backdrop of uncertainty. Injuries and tiredness are likely to exacerbate the worries that Aguirre has about the side, as he contemplates leaving Argentinean hot-shot Sergio Kun Aguero out of his starting XI.
Aguero did feature in the weekend Madrid derby, which Atletico hosted. Los Colchoneros was usurped at their own party by a Gonzalo Higuaín penalty in stoppage time. The fixture also saw Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi limp away with a thigh problem, giving Atléti more selection difficulty at the back.
The spirit of Istanbul has well and truly been invoked at Anfield; the 2005 Champions League final saw the Reds recover from three goals down against AC Milan to snatch victory from the Italians, and this season has seen Liverpool once again specialise in rallying from behind.
Four times in the Premier League this season, Rafael Benitez's men have turned over deficits to record wins, and seven of their 13 league goals have come in the last 15 minutes of matches.
Wigan Athletic were the latest victims of the comeback kings, despite the best effort of Amr Zaki on Saturday.
In Europe also, the Reds have made a friend of adversity, claiming a win against Marseille after falling behind as well as eliminating Standard Liege deep into extra-time of their qualification clash.
In the absence of Fernando Torres too, the Reds have found a new means to the goal. Dutchman Dirk Kuyt has been derided as a workhorse throughout his time at Anfield but has provided the side with goals in three consecutive matches for the first time since his move from Feyenoord.
Rafa Benitez's men have a mental robustness, masquerading as 'character', throughout the side and a 'we'll score more' attitude to boot.
Steven Gerrard has called for the side to start imposing themselves on matches from the get-go and wants his troops to command a lead instead of chasing results in the latter stages.
FORM GUIDE
Atlético Madrid
Oct 18 v Real Madrid (Primera División) (H) LOST 2-1
Oct 4 v Barcelona (Primera División) (A) LOST 6-1
Oct 1 v Marseille (Champions League) (H) WON 2-1
Sept 28 v Sevilla (Primera División) (H) LOST 1-0
24 Sept v Getafe (Primera División) (A) WON 2-1
Liverpool
Oct 18 v Wigan Athletic (Premier League) (H) WON 3-2
Oct 5 v Manchester City (Premier League (A) WON 3-2
Oct 1 v PSV Eindhoven (Champions League) (H) WON 3-1
Sept 27 v Everton (Premier League) (A) WON 2-0
Sept 23 v Crewe (Carling Cup) (H) WON 2-1
TEAM NEWS
Atlético Madrid
Tomas Ujfalusi's absence will likely mean that John Heitinga will start alongside Luis Perea at the heart of the Atlético back-line although Pablo Ibanez is nearing a return to fitness. Maxi Rodriguez is still sidelined, so there could be a place for Luis Garcia in the starting line-up. Another Liverpool old-boy Florent Sinama Pongolle may start up-front if Aguirre decided to rest Kun. Goalkeeping duties have been rolling among Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet, although Franco has got the nod so far in the Champions League.
Probable Starting XI: Leo Franco - Seitaridis, Ujfalusi, Perea, Pernía - Maniche, Banega, Raul Garcia, Simao - Sinama Pongolle, Forlan
Liverpool
Torres is obviously the most notable absentee but the Reds have been coping well without him. Rafa Benitez admitted concerns over Yossi Benayoun, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane although all are expected to play. Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel, Philipp Degen and Ryan Babel are all ruled out. Jermaine Pennent excelled in the weekend win over Wigan Athletic and like Albert Riera will be expecting to start.
Probable Starting XI: Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena - Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard - Kuyt, Keane, Reira
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Luis Garcia made a habit of netting important strikes for Liverpool throughout his time at Anfield and is fondly remembered on Merseyside. He forever endeared himself to the locals with key goals en-route to the final in 2005 against Juventus and Chelsea and played the full duration of the final against Milan. Although the diminutive playmaker is not a guaranteed starter for Atlético, expect him to have a say against his old paymasters.
Pepe Reina has claimed the Premier League's 'Golden Gloves' award on the last three occasions and has provided a huge barrier for opposition teams in this competition so far this term. Exquisite saves against Standard Liege and Marseille kept the Reds in matches at difficult times and he will be relishing the prospect of playing against the club represented by his father Miguel for seven seasons.
However, a hamstring injury, his second of the season, incurred during the opening stages of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium has taken the 24 year-old's dream reunion from him.
Instead, focus was shifted elsewhere, onto UEFA sanctions levelled against Atlético due to the despicable behaviour of their supporters last time out
After a promising domestic start, the Atlético Madrid La Liga challenge has been derailed somewhat. Three successive losses have left los Colchoneros in disarray and Mexican coach Javier Aguirre is allegedy one game from the sack as the side flounders in eighth place.
The coach will not be allowed to take his place on the home bench tomorrow evening as a result of UEFA sanctions levelled against the club in the wake of their tumultuous Champions League encounter against Marseille. Although Aguirre will watch from the stands, at least he will be watching from the stands of the Vicente Calderón.
European football's governing body has decided to rescind the stadium ban imposed for the behaviour of the Atlético supporters against Eric Gerets' side in light of the logistic difficulties likely to be encounter by fans travelling to a game more than 300 kilometres from the Spanish capital.
Playing at home will certainly provide a crumb of comfort for a side on a low ebb as will their Champions League form in this campaign so far.
They sit atop of Group D, one goal clear of Liverpool, and impressed in the competition's opening two fixtures, albeit before thier current domestic woes.
PSV and Marseille were brushed aside as the rojiblancos made a devastating return to the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade. However, they come into the match against the backdrop of uncertainty. Injuries and tiredness are likely to exacerbate the worries that Aguirre has about the side, as he contemplates leaving Argentinean hot-shot Sergio Kun Aguero out of his starting XI.
Aguero did feature in the weekend Madrid derby, which Atletico hosted. Los Colchoneros was usurped at their own party by a Gonzalo Higuaín penalty in stoppage time. The fixture also saw Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi limp away with a thigh problem, giving Atléti more selection difficulty at the back.
The spirit of Istanbul has well and truly been invoked at Anfield; the 2005 Champions League final saw the Reds recover from three goals down against AC Milan to snatch victory from the Italians, and this season has seen Liverpool once again specialise in rallying from behind.
Four times in the Premier League this season, Rafael Benitez's men have turned over deficits to record wins, and seven of their 13 league goals have come in the last 15 minutes of matches.
Wigan Athletic were the latest victims of the comeback kings, despite the best effort of Amr Zaki on Saturday.
In Europe also, the Reds have made a friend of adversity, claiming a win against Marseille after falling behind as well as eliminating Standard Liege deep into extra-time of their qualification clash.
In the absence of Fernando Torres too, the Reds have found a new means to the goal. Dutchman Dirk Kuyt has been derided as a workhorse throughout his time at Anfield but has provided the side with goals in three consecutive matches for the first time since his move from Feyenoord.
Rafa Benitez's men have a mental robustness, masquerading as 'character', throughout the side and a 'we'll score more' attitude to boot.
Steven Gerrard has called for the side to start imposing themselves on matches from the get-go and wants his troops to command a lead instead of chasing results in the latter stages.
FORM GUIDE
Atlético Madrid
Oct 18 v Real Madrid (Primera División) (H) LOST 2-1
Oct 4 v Barcelona (Primera División) (A) LOST 6-1
Oct 1 v Marseille (Champions League) (H) WON 2-1
Sept 28 v Sevilla (Primera División) (H) LOST 1-0
24 Sept v Getafe (Primera División) (A) WON 2-1
Liverpool
Oct 18 v Wigan Athletic (Premier League) (H) WON 3-2
Oct 5 v Manchester City (Premier League (A) WON 3-2
Oct 1 v PSV Eindhoven (Champions League) (H) WON 3-1
Sept 27 v Everton (Premier League) (A) WON 2-0
Sept 23 v Crewe (Carling Cup) (H) WON 2-1
TEAM NEWS
Atlético Madrid
Tomas Ujfalusi's absence will likely mean that John Heitinga will start alongside Luis Perea at the heart of the Atlético back-line although Pablo Ibanez is nearing a return to fitness. Maxi Rodriguez is still sidelined, so there could be a place for Luis Garcia in the starting line-up. Another Liverpool old-boy Florent Sinama Pongolle may start up-front if Aguirre decided to rest Kun. Goalkeeping duties have been rolling among Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet, although Franco has got the nod so far in the Champions League.
Probable Starting XI: Leo Franco - Seitaridis, Ujfalusi, Perea, Pernía - Maniche, Banega, Raul Garcia, Simao - Sinama Pongolle, Forlan
Liverpool
Torres is obviously the most notable absentee but the Reds have been coping well without him. Rafa Benitez admitted concerns over Yossi Benayoun, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane although all are expected to play. Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel, Philipp Degen and Ryan Babel are all ruled out. Jermaine Pennent excelled in the weekend win over Wigan Athletic and like Albert Riera will be expecting to start.
Probable Starting XI: Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena - Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard - Kuyt, Keane, Reira
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Luis Garcia made a habit of netting important strikes for Liverpool throughout his time at Anfield and is fondly remembered on Merseyside. He forever endeared himself to the locals with key goals en-route to the final in 2005 against Juventus and Chelsea and played the full duration of the final against Milan. Although the diminutive playmaker is not a guaranteed starter for Atlético, expect him to have a say against his old paymasters.
Pepe Reina has claimed the Premier League's 'Golden Gloves' award on the last three occasions and has provided a huge barrier for opposition teams in this competition so far this term. Exquisite saves against Standard Liege and Marseille kept the Reds in matches at difficult times and he will be relishing the prospect of playing against the club represented by his father Miguel for seven seasons.
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