Julian Alvarez is in contention to feature for Atletico Madrid in their Champions League clash against Liverpool on Wednesday, with the Argentine yet to start a game this season

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has claimed that Julian Alvarez is "suffering" amid a summer of transfer speculation that saw him linked with a move to Barcelona and Arsenal.

Alvarez is yet to start a match for Atletico this season after he came close to leaving the club. The Argentine was understood to be pushing for a move to Barca and made no secret of his desire to quit Atletico.

Arsenal, meanwhile, had placed Alvarez high up on their shortlist as Mikel Arteta tried to strengthen his front line, with sporting director Andrea Berta trying to convince the ex-Manchester City man to move back to the Premier League, having worked with him at Atletico.

Despite Barca offering more than £86million and fierce backlash from the Atletico supporters, Diego Simeone's side ended up keeping hold of Alvarez beyond the transfer deadline. With that, Alvarez is in contention to feature for Atletico ahead of their Champions League opener against Liverpool on Wednesday after being named in the travelling squad.

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Speaking hours before the game at Anfield, Cerezo provided an update on Alvarez's current condition and believes he is still coming to terms of failing to secure a move away from Atletico.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper Sport, Cerezo said: "I see Alvarez in good shape, but the truth is that he is suffering after what happened recently, and that is a cause for concern."

He added: "I think his recovery is going well, and when the coach sees that the time is right, he will return to play. The Julian case is closed."

Alvarez, who came off the bench in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Athletic Club, has been named in Atletico's travelling squad for the Liverpool fixture and is anticipated to feature as a substitute, after Diego Simeone admitted he doesn't see the ex-Manchester City man "starting yet".

When asked about Alvarez in his pre-Liverpool press conference, Simeone said: "Julian is still developing; I don't see him starting yet, but he'll help us as the game progresses."

Regarding Atletico's other striking options, both Jonathan David and Alexander Sorloth are doubts, suggesting Lee Kang-in and Alex Baena could once again be deployed up front.

"Jonathan arrived very recently and couldn't play the other day [against Athletic Club] due to a problem," Simeone said. "[Sorloth's] recovering. He has this injury that's keeping him from playing. We need him; he's important, whether it's for 90, 60 or 20 minutes. He gives us things we don't have in the team right now. Hopefully, he'll be back soon."

Simeone added: "It's very important for the club that the final is at the Metropolitano. For us, we have to work incredibly hard to be able to aspire to that privileged position.

"We're in a growth phase, settling in; there are many new players, the situation with Julian, David's arrival at the end of the transfer window, the national team players who arrived late and nobody cares about them anymore. Little by little, we'll find our rhythm."

Alvarez has managed just 55 minutes of football all season, but looks set to build on that and clock up further game time against Liverpool.