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Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: Champions League preview and team news
09th September, 2026 02:33 PM
Liverpool begin their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign at Anfield on Wednesday evening, September 9, 2026, when they welcome Atletico Madrid in an intriguing League Phase encounter.
The meeting brings back memories of last season’s opening-round clash between the sides, when Liverpool secured a dramatic 3-2 victory at home courtesy of Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time winner.
Liverpool looking to build momentum
Liverpool’s start to the new Premier League campaign was far from straightforward, with the Reds being forced to come from behind to draw 2-2 against both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
However, they finally recorded their first victory under new manager Andoni Iraola last Friday, defeating Ipswich Town 2-0 away from home.
Alexander Isak was the difference-maker, scoring twice inside the opening nine minutes to give Liverpool a comfortable platform for victory.
The result also prevented Iraola from becoming the first Liverpool manager since Brendan Rodgers to go winless in his first three Premier League matches. The Spaniard acknowledged the importance of the result, saying his side “needed that one with the way it has been”.
Iraola will now experience Champions League football from the dugout for the first time. Liverpool, meanwhile, are aiming to go further than last season’s quarter-final exit and finally end their lengthy wait for another European crown.
The Reds have been particularly productive in front of goal since their Champions League elimination by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in April. They have scored in nine consecutive competitive matches, finding the net at least twice in six of those fixtures.
Liverpool have also established themselves as one of the strongest performers in the League Phase. They topped the 36-team standings in 2024-25 before finishing third last season, winning six of their eight matches.
Their recent record against Spanish opposition is another source of encouragement, with Liverpool winning their last six League Phase encounters against teams from Spain and keeping four clean sheets in their previous five such matches.
Atletico arrive after a heavy defeat
Atletico Madrid head to Merseyside looking to recover from a disappointing weekend result.
Diego Simeone’s team collected seven points from their first three La Liga matches but suffered their first defeat of the campaign on Saturday, going down 3-0 to Athletic Bilbao.
The performance deteriorated significantly after the interval, something Simeone described as “a real wake-up call”.
Defensive concerns will be particularly troubling for the experienced Argentine, as Atletico have conceded six goals in the second half of their last three matches.
Simeone remains the longest-serving manager among the clubs participating in this season’s Champions League, having been appointed by Atletico in December 2011.
The former Argentina midfielder is once again attempting to take Atletico to the summit of European football. The Spanish club have reached the Champions League final three times without winning it and were semi-finalists last season.
Their record against English clubs in the Champions League group or League Phase is not encouraging. Atletico have won none of their previous 10 such matches, recording four draws and six defeats.
Nevertheless, Simeone’s side have generally been capable of scoring in this competition. They have failed to find the net in only two of their last 24 group-stage or League Phase matches.
Their record at Anfield also offers some hope, with Atletico scoring in four of their previous five visits to the stadium. Their overall record there stands at one win, one draw and three defeats.
Liverpool team news
Liverpool will be without Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo in Europe after both players were omitted from the club’s Champions League squad.
Hugo Ekitike is unavailable because of an Achilles problem, while Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni continue to recover from knee injuries. Joe Gomez is also a doubt because of a muscular issue.
Following the clean sheet against Ipswich, Iraola could retain Ronald Araujo at right-back, with the Barcelona loanee potentially joining Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez in defence.
Ryan Gravenberch is pushing for a place in midfield and could replace Alexis Mac Allister in the deeper role.
Bradley Barcola, one of Liverpool’s major summer arrivals and a two-time Champions League winner with PSG, could make his first start for the club on the right wing. That would potentially send Victor Munoz to the bench.
Cody Gakpo is expected to continue on the opposite flank, while Florian Wirtz could operate behind Isak.
The Swedish striker will be hoping to improve his Champions League record, having scored only once in 13 previous appearances in the competition.
Atletico Madrid team news
Atletico are expected to be without Alexander Sorloth because of a thigh injury.
Arnau Ortiz is also suspended after being sent off while representing Slask Wroclaw in a Conference League qualifying match in August 2024.
Simeone faces an interesting selection dilemma in attack. Julian Alvarez could return to the starting XI after coming off the bench against Athletic Bilbao.
Jonathan David is another option to lead the attack, while new signing Cristian Romero is hoping to make his full debut in central defence.
In midfield, club captain Koke could come into the side at the expense of either Morten Hjulmand or Pablo Barrios.
Should he make an appearance at Anfield, Koke will reach 150 UEFA club competition appearances, becoming only the 28th player to achieve that milestone.
