Liverpool Host Atletico Madrid under the Anfield lights

European Giants Collide at Anfield

Liverpool begin their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, when they face Spanish side Atletico Madrid at Anfield. Kick-off is set for 19:00 local time in Round 1 of the competition's opening stage.

The match marks Andoni Iraola's first fixture in charge of Liverpool in the Champions League, while Diego Simeone leads Atletico Madrid into another European campaign.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record

Liverpool enter the match following a mixed run of results. In their last five outings across all competitions, the Reds earned victories over Ipswich (2-0) and Como (2-0 in friendly play), alongside draws against Nottingham Forest (2-2), Newcastle United (2-2), and Como (0-0). In domestic play, Iraola's squad has collected five points from their first three Premier League fixtures.

Atletico Madrid's previous five matches yield three victories, one draw, and one defeat. Simeone's team secured wins against Sevilla (3-1) and Malaga (2-0) in LaLiga, as well as a 2-1 friendly victory over Marseille. However, they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in their most recent league outing after drawing 2-2 with Villarreal.

In previous Champions League meetings, Liverpool have taken victory in their last three encounters against Atletico Madrid, including a 3-2 win in September 2025 and 2-0 and 3-2 victories during the 2021/22 group stage. Prior to that stretch, Atletico Madrid knocked Liverpool out of the competition with a 3-2 extra-time victory at Anfield in March 2020 after a 1-0 first-leg win in Madrid.

Team News and Confirmed Lineups

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has lined his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Alisson Becker starts in goal, guarded by a defensive line of Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister anchor the midfield, supporting an attacking trio of Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, and Cody Gakpo behind central striker Alexander Isak. Missing from Liverpool's squad through injury are Hugo Ekitike, Joseph Gomez, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, and Giovanni Leoni.

Diego Simeone has lined Atletico Madrid up in a 4-4-2 setup. Jan Oblak takes his place between the posts, behind defenders Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero, and David Hancko. Midfield duties fall to Giuliano Simeone, Alejandro Baena, Pablo Barrios Rivas, and Morten Hjulmand, with Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez positioned in attack. Alexander Soerloth misses out through injury, while Arnau Ortiz is serving a suspension.

Key Players and Match Predictions

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who confirmed in pre-match media duties that he remains fully committed to the club despite ongoing contract discussions, will play a vital role alongside Szoboszlai in dictating play against Atletico's compact shape. Up front, Alexander Isak leads the line with creative support from summer addition Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz.

For the Spanish side, Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lookman pose the primary goalscoring threat. Meanwhile, Jan Oblak will look to marshal a defense featuring new arrival Cristian Romero against a Liverpool side that has scored at least two goals in each of their last four matches.

With both teams showing attacking productivity early in the season alongside defensive moments of vulnerability, bookmakers favor a home win for Liverpool, with high odds placed on both teams finding the net at Anfield.