Julian Alvarez and David Hancko doubtful for Anfield trip

Atletico coach Diego Simeone can call upon both Robin Le Normand and Nico Gonzalez for Wednesday's Champions League match against Liverpool at Anfield, although Julian Alvarez and David Hancko remain doubtful, pending their recovery ahead of the game.

The next few hours will determine the availability of both the Argentinian forward, who was substituted at half-time in last Saturday's match against Villarreal due to discomfort, and the Slovakian defender, who suffered a sprained ankle in the 82nd minute of that match following a challenge in midfield. Neither player trained with the group this afternoon. 

Robin Le Normand and Nico Gonzalez are both fit, having trained as normal with the rest of the squad at the Majadahonda training centre in the evening session, which was missing the already-known absentees, also for Wednesday's match, of Alex Baena, Thiago Almada and Jose Maria Gimenez. 

Baena is still recovering from the appendicitis operation he underwent on 2 September, Almada suffered a muscular injury last week which prevented him from playing against Villarreal and Gimenez has been out of action since 20 June, when he was injured in the second match of the Club World Cup against Seattle Sounders.

Atletico's squad for Wednesday's match will be announced on Tuesday morning, before travelling to Liverpool. All indications are that Johnny Cardoso will return to the starting eleven and Conor Gallagher has a good chance of featuring due to the various injury concerns.