'It's 11 against 11' – Simeone unfazed by Liverpool challenge

Diego Simeone is cautiously optimistic ahead of Atletico Madrid's Champions League curtain-raiser against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday. 

Atletico have endured their worst start to a LaLiga season since 2009-10, though they finally claimed their first win of the campaign last Saturday with a 2-0 win against Villarreal. 

Simeone's team have lost only one of their last 10 opening Champions League matches, securing five wins and four draws, with their sole defeat coming in a 4-0 loss away to Bayern Munich in October 2020.

They have lost their last two games against Liverpool, last beating the Reds over two legs in the round of 16 during the 2019-20 edition of the Champions League, with Atletico winning both legs 1-0 and 3-2, respectively.

And though Liverpool are the only Premier League team with a 100% record this season, Simeone warned against underestimating his team.

"Reasons to dream of a win tomorrow? That we play 11 against 11," Simeone said.

"Yes, there are absences, and maybe they have more options for the second half, but from the start it’s 11 against 11."

Simeone did, though, concede that Atletico are going up against one of the world's very best teams, with Opta's supercomputer handing Liverpool a 60.4% chance of victory.

"[A] magnificent rival, great fans and stadium, and a coach who took them to the highest level," Simeone added. 

"Verticality, quick transitions, they play very simply to get a lot of people into the box. They don’t need many passes to go from one side to the other. It’s a very voracious team and it will be tough."

Antoine Griezmann, who is yet to get off the mark in LaLiga this season, is relishing the opportunity to feature at Anfield.

"We are excited to get going in the Champions League," said Griezmann.

"Our expectations are high. It's a tough competition, but I think we can go far this year. [Anfield] is a tough place to play. They have invested heavily in new transfers. Lots of good new players.

"It will be a hard game in a stadium that makes an impact."

Griezmann, who has been a bit-part player so far this term, could well get the nod up front with Atletico missing star striker Julian Alvarez due to injury.