Morata out injured, faces race to be fit for Liverpool test — Atletico Madrid’s Portuguese forward Joao Felix (L) and Atletico Madrid’s Spanish forward Alvaro Morata react during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid against Club Deportivo Leganes SAD at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on January 26, 2020. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

Atletico Madrid confirmed on Monday that Alvaro Morata has suffered a muscle injury, with the striker in doubt to face Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

Atletico plays Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano on February 18 and will be desperate to have Morata fit, given their lack of options up front. Diego Costa and Joao Felix are both currently out injured.

“Alvaro Morata has suffered a muscular injury in his right leg,” a club statement read. “His return will depend on his recovery.”

Morata had to come off in the second half of Atletico’s 1-0 defeat by Real Madrid in the city derby in La Liga on Saturday.