Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre has confirmed he could omit star striker Sergio Aguero from his starting line-up.

Aguero is Atletico's top scorer with six goals in all competitions this season but he has had a punishing schedule in recent months, including representing Argentina at the Olympics and in World Cup qualifiers alongside his club commitments.

The highly-rated 20-year-old is a hugely influential player for Atletico, but Aguirre feels it could be a risk to keep playing the forward.

"I have not decided yet, but he may not start because of medical reasons. He could pick up a major injury if he plays the 90 minutes," Aguirre said today.

Aside from the possibility of leaving out Aguero, Aguirre is set to make a number of other changes to the side that suffered a heartbreaking home defeat to bitter rivals Real Madrid at the weekend.

That loss, which saw Real clinch a 2-1 victory with a 96th-minute penalty, was Atletico's third successive defeat in La Liga and Aguirre feels he needs to freshen things up.

However, he denied his team selection would be influenced by this weekend's league encounter against high-flying Villarreal.

"No, I make my decisions according to what I see in training and what I see in the team," he said.

Among those players who could be drafted in to start are Simao Sabrosa, Giorgios Seitaridis, youngsters Ignacio Camacho and Alvaro Dominguez, and former Liverpool player Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

"I'm willing to make important changes because I want to add fresh players and give others players a break," Aguirre added.

"All the players are more or less of the same level."

Atletico's poor domestic run of results has seen the spotlight fall on Aguirre, with reports in Spain suggesting he could be sacked if the Rojiblancos lose against Liverpool.

Aguirre, whose side lost at home to Sevilla and then 6-1 at Barcelona before the derby defeat, is taking that all in his stride though, saying: "It's normal to be under pressure.

"There are rumours about dismissals in England, Turkey, France, even in Spain and when a top-level teams suffers three successive defeats it's logical that the alarms start to sound and that there are rumours but we have to be used to this pressure.

"I'm used to this pressure and I feel that the team are enthusiastic and has a very good spirit, and tomorrow they know that we are in another competition, different from the league."

He added: "I am the last person to judge these rumours. Whatever is published I have to be aside from.

"After three consecutive defeats it is normal that these rumours exist, but I have to devote myself to tomorrow's match and getting to nine points would put us in a very good position."

Atletico's recent domestic problems are in contrast to their European form, where they have already beaten PSV Eindhoven and Marseille in what is the Spanish club's first Champions League campaign in over a decade.

Those two wins have left Atletico at the top of Group D with six points, just above Liverpool who also boast a 100% record after their opening two matches.

"We want to finish in top spot in the group," added Aguirre.