Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign by welcoming Atletico Madrid to Anfield on Wednesday night, with Arne Slot’s side looking to extend their perfect start to the season.
The Reds edged past Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor last weekend to maintain their 100% record in the Premier League and now turn their attention back to European competition.
Slot’s men still have scars from last season’s agonising last-16 exit to Paris Saint-Germain, though the Parisians’ eventual run to the trophy softened the blow. Still, Liverpool are gunning for a seventh European crown and will expect to make a strong start at Anfield.
How to watch
Kick-off: 8pm BST Venue: Anfield.
TV Channel (UK): TNT Sports 1, coverage begins at 7pm BST.
Live Stream: Discovery+ app and website for TNT Sports subscribers.
Form and team-news
Liverpool: Liverpool’s home record in Europe speaks volumes. They have won each of their last 14 home matches in UEFA competitions spanning both the Champions League and Europa League while scoring two or more goals in the most recent 13.
The Reds have not suffered defeat since their Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace at Wembley back in August.
The big question is whether Alexander Isak will finally make his Liverpool debut. The £125m signing from Newcastle missed the Burnley game due to fitness but is included in the squad for this clash.
Arne Slot confirmed that Curtis Jones, absent last weekend, is unlikely to feature until the Merseyside Derby. Jeremie Frimpong returned from injury against Burnley and could feature again, while fellow summer signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, and Giovanni Leoni are all in line for their first taste of European football in a Liverpool shirt.
However, Federico Chiesa is unavailable after being left out of the Champions League squad.
Atletico: Diego Simeone’s side have not hit their stride in La Liga so far this term. Atleti have won just once in their opening four games, drawing twice and losing once. Their 2–0 victory over Villarreal at the weekend was a much-needed boost after a defeat to Espanyol and successive draws with Elche and Deportivo Alavés.
Simeone’s side are battling injuries. Julian Alvarez limped off with a knee issue at the weekend and wasn’t included in the travelling squad, while David Hancko (ankle) and Robin Le Normand (back) also suffered problems. Goalscorer Gonzalez was withdrawn with cramp.
They remain without Jose Maria Gimenez, Thiago Almada, and Alex Baena, further limiting their options.
Predicted lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Atletico (4-4-2):
Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Sørloth.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “This is a team that is a difficult one to play against because of the mentality and because of their team performance and because of their individual quality.”
Diego Simeone: “We play against an extraordinary opponent in a magnificent stadium with unbelievable fans, a coach that took his team to the top level. They competed very well in the Champions League last season and won the league. We have a tough opponent but we will try to hurt them in the game tomorrow whenever we can.”
