Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Champions League Preview

The Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Champions League matchday-one fixture is at Anfield on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, kicking off at 20:00 BST. Liverpool have several confirmed absences, while new signing Bradley Barcola is available for more minutes. TNT Sports will televise the match live in the United Kingdom.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Champions League: time and TV

Liverpool’s official match guide confirms an 8pm BST kick-off at Anfield on 9 September. TNT Sports has the live UK television rights for the fixture, while Liverpool’s own channels provide build-up, audio commentary and post-match coverage rather than a live video stream of the match.

Broadcast details outside Britain vary by territory. UEFA’s broadcaster directory is the appropriate reference for international viewers, because a UK TNT Sports listing should not be assumed to apply elsewhere.

Liverpool's predicted XI vs Atlético

UEFA’s possible Liverpool XI is Alisson Becker; Ronald Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch; Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola; Alexander Isak. That is a prediction rather than a confirmed team.

Barcola made his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the 2-0 win at Ipswich and head coach Andoni Iraola said on 8 September that the winger was ready to play more minutes. Whether that means a first start remains a selection decision.

Which Liverpool players are injured for the Atlético game?

Liverpool’s official team-news update lists Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni as unavailable with long-term injuries. Joe Gomez is nearing the end of his recovery from a muscle problem rather than being presented as fully fit.

Two other absences need to be separated from injuries. Wataru Endo is unavailable because he was not included in Liverpool’s submitted Champions League squad, while Federico Chiesa was also not registered and is recovering from an injury.

Atlético team news

Liverpool’s official preview says Alexander Sørloth has been ruled out for Atlético and Arnau Ortiz is suspended. UEFA’s possible Atlético XI features Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Dávid Hancko, Alejandro Grimaldo; Giuliano Simeone, Pablo Barrios, Morten Hjulmand, Ademola Lookman; Julián Álvarez and Álex Baena.

As with Liverpool’s projection, Atlético’s listed XI is not official until the club and UEFA publish the match line-ups. The suspension and confirmed unavailability are stronger facts than any forecast formation.

Liverpool vs Atlético Champions League head-to-head

UEFA’s Champions League head-to-head page records seven meetings before this match: Liverpool have three wins, Atlético two and there have been two draws, with Liverpool leading the goals 12-10. That count is for the Champions League specifically.

The recent series has swung between the clubs. Liverpool won 3-2 at Anfield in the 2025/26 league phase and won both meetings in 2021/22; Atlético won both legs of their 2019/20 round-of-16 tie, while the two 2008/09 group games were draws.

What matchday one means for Liverpool

This is the first of eight league-phase fixtures, so a single result will not decide qualification. Liverpool nevertheless start at home against a side with recent history of making the contest difficult, and the availability of their attacking players will influence how aggressively Iraola can rotate.

For readers searching liverpool vs atletico madrid champions league team news, the safest hierarchy is official club availability first, UEFA’s possible XI second. Predicted selections should never be presented as confirmed starters.

What to watch tactically

UEFA’s projection places Isak as Liverpool’s central striker with Wirtz and Barcola among the creators behind him. Atlético’s possible team pairs Álvarez and Baena, giving the visitors two mobile attackers rather than a single fixed reference point.

Those are plausible pre-match structures, not guaranteed formations. The official team sheets shortly before 20:00 BST will settle the final tactical picture.

Why the injury list needs careful wording

Unavailable does not always mean injured. Liverpool’s Champions League registration decisions account for Endo and Chiesa, while Bradley, Ekitike and Leoni are injury absences; Gomez sits in a separate category because the club says he is nearing the end of recovery.

Keeping those categories separate avoids overstating the medical situation and gives readers a clearer picture of Iraola’s actual selection pool. Visit Notout BD for the latest sports updates and platform information.

FAQs

What is Liverpool's predicted XI vs Atlético?

UEFA projects Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.

Which Liverpool players are unavailable?

Bradley, Ekitike and Leoni are confirmed injury absences; Gomez is still recovering. Endo and Chiesa are not in the Champions League squad.

What time is Liverpool vs Atlético and where can I watch?

Kick-off is 20:00 BST on 9 September at Anfield, with live UK television coverage on TNT Sports.