Bradley Barcola starts for Liverpool as Julian Alvarez leads Atletico Madrid attack

Bradley Barcola has been named in Liverpool’s starting XI for their Champions League league-phase opener against Atletico Madrid at Anfield, while Julian Alvarez starts for the Spanish side.

The two clubs meet at Liverpool’s home stadium in the opening round of the league phase, with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone selecting Alvarez in a two-man forward line.

Alexander Isak continues to lead Liverpool’s attack, with Barcola and Rio Ngumoha completing the hosts’ front three.

Liverpool’s team is:

Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

Defenders: Milos Kerkez, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo

Midfielders: Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak, Rio Ngumoha

Atletico Madrid’s line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak

Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero, David Hancko

Midfielders: Giuliano Simeone, Pablo Barrios, Koke, Alex Baena

Forwards: Lee Kang-in, Julian Alvarez

Liverpool’s selection places Barcola in the attacking trio alongside Isak and Ngumoha, while the midfield is built around Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Wirtz.

Alisson Becker starts behind a defence featuring Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jacquet and Araujo. At the other end, Jan Oblak is in goal for Atletico Madrid, with Llorente, Pubill, Romero and Hancko forming the visitors’ defensive line.

Simeone’s side has chosen a midfield four of Giuliano Simeone, Barrios, Koke and Baena, behind Lee Kang-in and Alvarez.

The match at Anfield marks the beginning of both clubs’ Champions League league-phase campaigns. Liverpool will rely on the attacking combination of Barcola, Isak and Ngumoha, while Atletico Madrid have opted for Alvarez to spearhead their challenge from the start.