Julian Alvarez's agent addresses LIV transfer claim before UCL clash

Liverpool were linked with a move for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez in the summer transfer window and the player's agent has now spoken about the speculation

Julian Alvarez's representative has insisted that Liverpool did submit a bid for the Atletico Madrid striker during the summer transfer window. The Reds were reportedly keen on landing the former Manchester City ace at the beginning of the summer before switching their focus elsewhere.

Liverpool secured Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal potentially rising to £79million and the French forward has impressed in his early Anfield tenure. The speculation linking Alvarez to Anfield preceded the Reds' eventual capture of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a club-record sum of £125million.

However, that speculation surrounding Liverpool's pursuit of Alvarez faded once the Reds moved for Ekitike and Isak back in July.

Now the striker's representative, Fernando Hidalgo, has clarified claims that Arne Slot's team were chasing his client.

"There were no official offers from Liverpool to sign Julian last season, and everything that has been said in this regard is false," Hidalgo told Erem News.

"Last summer there were no offers because Atletico de Madrid didn't want to sell the player, so negotiations didn't take place."

The Argentinian striker has scored 30 times in 60 appearances for the La Liga outfit, with a goal and an assist to his name in four Spanish top flight outings this season.

Alvarez will miss the chance to feature against Liverpool when the Reds take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The 25-year-old picked up a knee injury in Atleti's win over Villarreal at the weekend, which has resulted in him being left out of Diego Simeone's squad that has travelled to Anfield.

"We need to look at the positive side," Simeone said when discussing injuries to key players like Alvarez ahead of tonight's game. "The players coming in have a chance to show what they can do.

"Missing players is part of the game. We are focused on the ones who can play tomorrow.

"We play against an extraordinary opponent in a magnificent stadium with unbelievable fans, a coach that took his team to the top level. They competed very well in the Champions League last season and won the league.

"We have a tough opponent but we will try to hurt them in the game tomorrow whenever we can."