Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has an ongoing injury problem that Liverpool could look to exploit this evening, according to Spanish football expert Alvaro Romeo.
On the latest Behind Enemy Lines podcast from the Blood Red channel, the knowledgeable Spanish football broadcaster explained the issue in detail, suggesting that Costa has not been physically at his best for 12 months or so.
Costa had surgery on his back in November and was initially expected to be out until the quarter-final stages of the Champions League at the beginning of April.
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The 31-year-old, though, returned to action earlier than initially anticipated with the operation on his cervical disc deemed a success at the time, with his recovery faster than first thought.
But since his return, Costa has apparently been feeling the effects of the surgery.
Romeo said: "It is very complex. We all know Costa's game relies a lot on how brutal he can be against defenders and how he can outmuscle them.
"Reports say last Wednesday Costa could not complete a training drill that relied on heading the ball because he had a disc - a metal plate - inserted in his neck area, and he is not confident when it comes to heading the ball.
"Once the game is started, he will be pumped by the atmosphere and he may forget a little bit, but he is not 100 per cent fit and this can play in Liverpool's favour.
"If any player can make you make a mistake it's Diego Costa, but that Diego Costa has not been seen for over a year now.
"Will he switch on for the Anfield game? Nothing is impossible but it is very unlikely."
