Atletico Madrid have confirmed that Julian Alvarez will not feature in their Champions League opener against Liverpool on Wednesday.

Alvarez was substituted at half-time during Atleti’s 2-0 win over Villarreal last weekend, with the forward having provided an assist in their first win of the season.

The 25-year-old scored seven goals in 10 Champions League games last season before Atleti were knocked out on penalties in the round of 16, by rivals Real Madrid.

He averaged a goal every 112.9 minutes in the competition, also providing one assist, as Diego Simeone's men finished fifth in the inaugural league phase.

Alvarez will not be the only player sidelined for Simeone’s side at Anfield, after Johnny Cardoso suffered an ankle injury in training, while Thiago Almada, Jose Maria Gimenez and Alex Baena were also left out of the travelling squad.

This is arguably Atletico's most difficult fixture in the league phase this season, but they also face another trip to England to play Arsenal in October before hosting Inter in the following month.