Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: UEFA Champions League Returns to Anfield

Liverpool begin their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign tonight when Atletico Madrid visit Anfield for the opening game of the league phase.

Andoni Iraola’s side enter their European opener unbeaten in the Premier League after collecting five points from their first three matches. A 2-0 victory against Ipswich Town on Friday provided Liverpool with their first win of the campaign, while Atletico arrive on Merseyside looking to respond to a 3-0 defeat against Athletic Club.

Enjoy Liverpool Champions League Hospitality at Anfield

Another season of European football brings some major nights back to Anfield, beginning with Atletico Madrid before Liverpool also welcome Villarreal, FC Porto and RC Lens during the league phase.

Eventmasters offers Liverpool hospitality for home fixtures at Anfield, giving supporters the opportunity to watch Champions League football from premium surroundings. Packages such as the Anfield Beat Lounge provide an upgraded matchday experience, with hospitality also available across Liverpool’s domestic campaign.

Isak Finds Form Ahead of Champions League Opener

Alexander Isak will head into tonight’s match having made an impressive start to the season in front of goal. The Sweden international scored against Nottingham Forest before producing both goals in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Ipswich last time out.

His double at Portman Road came inside the opening nine minutes, with Cody Gakpo supplying the assist for both goals. Isak has therefore scored three times across Liverpool’s last two Premier League matches and provides Iraola with an in-form option to lead the attack against Atletico.

Friday’s victory was also Liverpool’s first clean sheet of the new season after consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. Iraola’s side had been required to come from behind twice in both of those matches, but the performance at Ipswich gave Liverpool a more controlled result ahead of the switch to European competition.

Barcola Could Make His Anfield Debut

Bradley Barcola could make his first appearance at Anfield after completing his move from Paris Saint-Germain shortly before the transfer deadline.

The winger made his Liverpool debut from the bench against Ipswich and Iraola confirmed ahead of tonight’s match that the French international is ready for an increased role.

“Yes, I think he played overall with extra time, 31 maybe or something like this [at Ipswich],” Iraola said when asked whether Barcola could start.

“I think he’s ready to play more minutes.

“He has been training quite normally. The only thing is he hasn’t had the pre-season minutes that normally players have.

“We have to consider this, but I see him in a really good place.”

His potential involvement gives Liverpool another attacking option alongside Isak, Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Victor Munoz as Iraola prepares for his first Champions League fixture as a head coach.

Atletico Looking to Respond at Anfield

Atletico Madrid have made an inconsistent start to their domestic campaign under Diego Simeone. They opened LaLiga with a 2-0 victory against Malaga before drawing 2-2 with Villarreal and winning 3-1 away against Sevilla.

That unbeaten start ended emphatically at San Mames on Saturday, where Athletic Club recorded a 3-0 victory. Atletico therefore travel to Liverpool with seven points from their opening four league fixtures.

Simeone still has plenty of attacking quality available. Ademola Lookman and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Kang-in Lee started against Athletic Club, while Jonathan David has joined Atletico on loan from Juventus and adds another option in the final third. Alexander Sorloth, however, has been ruled out of tonight’s game through injury.

Liverpool and Atletico Renew Their European Rivalry

Tonight, will be the tenth competitive meeting between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. Liverpool have won four of the previous nine matches, Atletico have won three and the remaining two ended in draws.

The Reds have also won each of the last three meetings between the clubs. Atletico have nevertheless enjoyed one of their most memorable European nights at Anfield, eliminating Liverpool from the Champions League in March 2020 after extra time.

The sides also met at Anfield during last season’s Champions League campaign, when Liverpool eventually secured a 3-2 victory through a late Virgil van Dijk goal. Atletico had fought back through two goals from Marcos Llorente before Liverpool found the decisive goal in stoppage time.

Liverpool Team News for Atletico Madrid

Liverpool will be without several members of Iraola’s squad for the Champions League opener. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable as they continue their rehabilitation from longer-term injuries, while Joe Gomez is approaching the end of his recovery from a muscle problem.

Federico Chiesa is also recovering from an injury and was not included in Liverpool’s submitted league-phase squad, while Wataru Endo was likewise left out of the European selection.

For Atletico, Sorloth misses the trip through injury and Arnau Ortiz is suspended. Simeone otherwise named a 24-man travelling squad for the game at Anfield.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Match Details

Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield tonight, Wednesday 9th September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.

The fixture is the first of eight league-phase matches for Liverpool. Their remaining home games will see Villarreal visit on Tuesday 20th October, FC Porto on Wednesday 9th December and RC Lens on Wednesday 27th January.

Liverpool hospitality is available with Eventmasters across the season, including Premier League and UEFA Champions League fixtures at Anfield.