Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool - 5 key battles to watch out for | UEFA Champions League 2021-22

#3 Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) vs Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Kieran Trippier kept Mane quiet last time, and will look to do so again at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Kieran Trippier has taken everyone by surprise by recapturing his best form at Atletico Madrid. It didn't take him long to become an important piece in Diego Simeone's puzzle. He is now hailed as one of the best in his position in La Liga.

Though not a modern-day marauding full-back, Trippier makes up for his lack of attacking intent with his strong defensive nous. However, the Englishman's skills will be put to the test by the peerless Sadio Mane, who has hit the throttle this season.

With six goals in ten games across competitions, the Senegalese ace is on a roll. He has got his swagger back, and with match-winning displays, Mane is showing how valuable he is for Liverpool.

His energetic runs from the flanks and devastating link-up plays with Salah could be hard for Trippier to contend with.

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#2 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) vs Geoffrey Kondogbia (Atletico Madrid)

Mohamed Salah will need some stopping.

With Jose Gimenez recovering from an injury, Geoffrey Kondogbia will have to shoulder the Herculean task of dealing with Mohamed Salah, who's currently in the form of his life.

The Central African Republic defender, signed from Valencia last year, is having a decent 2021-22 campaign with Atletico Madrid. He has brought a lot of composure and dynamism to their defence.

Playing in a back three with Felipe and Miguel Hermoso, his passing has been excellent; he is averaging over three tackles per game. Yet nothing can prepare him for what's coming his way on Tuesday.

Salah has scored in each of his last eight games for Liverpool,l and looks unstoppable at the moment. He has combined electric speed and excellent ball-control to tear apart defences, and has been creating chances a lot as well.

Keeping Salah quiet would be no mean feat, so Kondogbia will have to muster every ounce of his defensive nous when he goes up against the Egyptian.

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#1 Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) vs Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid)

The most important duel of the match?

This one's a real cracker: an unstoppable force against an immovable object. Virgil van Dijk and Luis Suarez, two of the best players in their respective positions, will go head-to-head in an enticing duel on Tuesday.

Of course, they have met each other before, especially during Liverpool's semi-final clash with Barcelona over two years ago. While the Uruguayan scored in the first leg, Van Dijk eventually had the last laugh.

Now at Atletico, the former Reds' No.9 will fancy his chances against his old club again. Suarez has already scored against another of his former side in La Liga a few weeks ago.

Van Dijk, who has made a bright return to the side after missing large swathes of last season through injury, will have his hands full against the Atletico Madrid marksman.