Liverpool face Atletico Madrid in Champions League opener as Andoni Iraola begins European journey

Liverpool begin their 2026-27 Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday, with Andoni Iraola preparing for his first experience of the competition as a manager.

The fixture is a repeat of last season’s opening match, when Liverpool edged out their Spanish opponents 3-2 at home after Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute.

Liverpool have made an uneven start to the new Premier League season. They recovered from two successive 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest before claiming their first victory of the Iraola era with a 2-0 away win at Ipswich Town last Friday.

Alexander Isak scored twice in the opening nine minutes in that match. Iraola’s start had prompted concerns that he could become the first Liverpool manager since Brendan Rodgers not to win any of his first three league games, but the victory eased that pressure.

Iraola described Isak as a “huge player” and admitted Liverpool “needed that victory, given how events had unfolded”.

Liverpool, six-time winners of the Champions League, will aim to improve on last season’s quarter-final exit and end an eight-year wait to lift European football’s biggest club trophy again.

The Reds have scored in each of their past nine competitive matches, including games from last season, and have netted at least twice in six of those fixtures. Their most recent Champions League campaign ended in April with a 4-0 aggregate defeat by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool finished in the top three of the 36-team league phase in each of the past two seasons, topping the table in 2024-25 and ending third last term after winning six of their eight matches. They have also won their past six league-phase meetings with Spanish sides, keeping clean sheets in four of their last five such games.

Atletico looking to respond

Atletico Madrid opened the season with seven points from their first three La Liga matches, but suffered their first defeat on Saturday when they went down 3-0 away to Athletic Bilbao.

Manager Diego Simeone criticised his side’s second-half performance, calling it a “real warning sign”. Atletico have conceded six second-half goals across their past three matches.

Simeone is the longest-serving manager among the clubs involved in the 2026-27 Champions League, having been in charge of Atletico since December 2011. The Argentine is tasked with guiding the club to their first Champions League title after three final defeats and a semi-final appearance last season.

Atletico have never beaten an English club in the Champions League group or league phase, drawing four and losing six of their 10 previous meetings. They can, however, take encouragement from their attacking record, having failed to score in only two of their past 24 group or league-phase matches.

The Spanish side have lost only once in their past five visits to Anfield, recording one win, one draw and three defeats overall.

Liverpool form: Draw, draw, win Atletico Madrid form: Win, draw, win, defeat

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have not been included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad. Hugo Ekitike is out with an Achilles tendon injury, while Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are sidelined with knee problems. Joe Gomez remains a doubt because of a muscle issue.

After the clean sheet against Ipswich, Iraola could retain Barcelona loanee Ronald Araujo at right-back, with Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez completing the defence. Ryan Gravenberch may start in front of the back four, potentially replacing Alexis Mac Allister.

Bradley Barcola, a major summer signing and two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, could make his first start for Liverpool on the right. That would leave Victor Munoz among the substitutes.

Cody Gakpo is expected to continue on the left, with Florian Wirtz operating behind Isak. The Swedish striker has scored just once in 13 Champions League appearances during his career.

Atletico are expected to be without Alexander Sørloth because of a thigh injury. Arnau Ortiz is suspended after being sent off while playing for Slask Wrocław in a Europa Conference League qualifying match in August 2024.

Simeone must decide whether to start Julian Alvarez, who is reportedly on his way out of the club and came on as a substitute against Athletic Bilbao. Jonathan David is another option at centre-forward, while new signing Cristian Romero is hoping for his first start in central defence.

Club captain Koke could replace either Morten Hjulmand or Pablo Barrios in midfield. If he plays, even briefly, he will become the 28th player to make 150 appearances in European club competitions.

Predicted line-ups

Liverpool: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Romero, Grimaldo; Koke, Hjulmand; Simeone, Baena, Lookman; David.

The match could produce an entertaining contest, with both teams showing defensive weaknesses early in the season. Liverpool’s attack has already looked dangerous, and the arrival of Barcola could add another dimension.

Atletico have enough quality to trouble the hosts, but their record against English opposition remains a concern. With Anfield expected to provide a strong atmosphere, Liverpool may have sufficient attacking power to win a close match and claim a fourth consecutive Champions League victory over Spanish opponents.

Match prediction markets: Liverpool to win and fewer than 4.5 goals – 2.12; Alexander Isak to score – 2.25; Bradley Barcola to score or assist – 2.00.