Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier set to miss Liverpool Champions League clash

The 29-year-old England defender, whose last appearance for Atletico was in the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Real Madrid on January 12, had the operation on Tuesday

Kieran Trippier looks set to miss Atletico Madrid‘s Champions League last-16 tie against holders Liverpool after undergoing groin surgery.

The 29-year-old England defender, whose last appearance for Atletico was in the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Real Madrid on January 12, had the operation on Tuesday.

Atletico have not said how long Trippier might be absent for, but reports in Spain suggest he could be sidelined for a month.

That would rule him out of the first leg against Liverpool on February 18 at the Wanda Metropolitano and leave him facing a race to be fit in time for the return meeting at Anfield on March 11.

A statement on the Spanish club’s website said: “Kieran Trippier on Tuesday underwent surgery to treat the pubalgia he’s been suffering in recent weeks. Our right-back had been feeling pain and initially followed a conservative treatment.

“As the discomfort did not fully disappear, the club’s medical services decided to perform surgery on the player.

“The operation went ahead without complications and Trippier will now begin a recovery process involving physiotherapy and gym work.”

Trippier joined Atletico from Tottenham last summer and has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Diego Simeone’s men.