Liverpool vs Atletico

Liverpool go into matchday 3 looking to become the first English team to win in the Vicente Calderon, but it'll be their toughest test so far in this season's CL.

Rafa defiantly claimed on monday that his team could emerge victorious from their five-day spell that could define this part of the season. This match is followed by a hotly-anticipated trip to the fortress that is Stamford Bridge, and two victories from these games would certainly make the sceptics take notice of our progress.

However, just as easily, defeat in either or both would start the murmurs of false dawns and accusations of vertigo. I'm not one who particularly enjoys soundbites, but it really is make or break time for Rafa's reds.

Atletico really are a dream club for all Championship Manager players out there. It is a parking station for players who you hear their name and go 'oh I know him...didn't he...'.

Their last-minute defeat to arch rivals Real Madrid on Sunday has scarred them, and they'll be looking for vengeance.

They'll have to do so without Pablo Ibanez or captain Maxi Rodriguez, who are both ruled out, while Tomas Ujfalusi is doubtful but unlikely with a hamstring injury.

There's plenty of other players to be worried about though, with Sergio 'Kun' Aguero, Simao, Diego Forlan, Paulo Assuncao, Maniche and Raul Garcia all fit and firing. Not forgetting our own former favourites Luis Garcia and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, both of whom have been talking about this game for weeks so it seems.

Everyone will be expecting fireworks from the latest 'new Maradona' Sergio Aguero, whom it emerged Rafa could have signed a few years ago. I actually remember the speculation, as it was just after Istanbul and the then 17-year-old was quoted as saying that he supported Liverpool having watched that game in awe.

However I'm not going to be boring and highlight him like everyone else, instead I'm thinking Sinama will have a major point to prove (media pleasentaries aside) after showing the world what a few of us Liverpool fans already knew this season - that he's actually a quality little player and we should have held onto him.

Where do we begin with Liverpool's myriad injury issues? OK we're not quite on Chelsea's scale - yet, but we're certainly not thankful for the international break.

We're missing Torres, who has elected to miss the trip entirely in order to stay in Liverpool and work on his injury at Melwood - whisper it very, very quietly, and don't let the chavs know, but there's a small rumour going around that he might be fit for Sunday!

Aside from our Prince's homecoming, the other definite absentees are Skrtel, Degen and Babel while Hyypia isn't registered. There are doubts around the fitness of Aurelio, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Keane and Gerrard, though Rafa said that the last four should all be involved. Dossena versus Simao? Hmm...

This game could have everything in it, or nothing. That's an ambiguous enough statement on it's own, but for me the key to our success will rely on us controlling the game in the middle. Atletico are lethal in attack but suspect in defence, and a controlling midfield game of the variety Alonso has given every game this season will be the just the ticket to ensure we triumph in both departments.

The classy Basque hasn't always recieved the credit he's deserved in his homeland (not least thanks to rival Spanish international Marcos Senna's poor estimation of him), but a speculation fuelled summer, plus his role in the European Championships triumph will mean I think our number 14 will be determined to put on a good show on his return to his homeland.

As said above, no English team has ever won at the Vicente Calderon, though that's not exactly a stat that has stopped Liverpool in the past now is it? (Nou Camp, Stade Marseille).

Liverpool can all but guarentee qualification for the last sixteen with three points here.

Atletico are rather in the same position as us, leading the field, ahead of us on goal difference but joint on points (where have we seen that before?), they know as well as us that these two matches are probably going to decide who finishes top and who comes in second.

This game could go any way. We could win 3-0, they could win 3-0, it could be 4-4 or it could be 0-0. And anything inbetween. Liverpool have a good record in Spain under Benitez, no surprises why, and I believe that if Deadly Dirk keeps his groove going we might just keep that record going too. 2-1 to Liverpool.

A trip to the plastic-flag waving capital of the world...no not New York. Chelsea away, Sunday afternoon.

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