Atletico Madrid handed major injury blow ahead of Liverpool Champions League showdown

Atletico Madrid could be without young starlet Joao Felix when they face Liverpool next month.

The two sides are set to meet in the Champions League knockout stages, with the first tie set to be held at Wanda Metropolitano on February 18.

But Diego Simeone might be missing Portuguese attacker Felix who has suffered a muscle injury to his right leg.

The La Liga club confirmed the 20-year-old sustained the knock during Atletico's goalless stalemate with Leganes last Sunday.

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Subsequent reports have suggested Felix may now miss the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.

Whatever the case, though, not being able to train and prepare with the star attacker in the interim will be a big blow.

Liverpool host Simeone's squad in the return leg on March 11, with both sides looking to book their place in the last eight of the competition.

The former Benfica forward, who completed the record-breaking move to Spain last summer, now has 20 days to recover before the European champions make their return to the Spanish capital.