Liverpool have won each of their last three meetings with Atlético Madrid, including a 3-2 victory on matchday one of last season's league phase. Overall, the Reds have won 22 of their last 26 home Champions League group stage of league phase fixtures, their only such defeats since 2014 coming against PSV Eindhoven last year and Atalanta in lockdown.
So, ahead of this opening night clash with los Colchoneros at Anfield, check out our preview, predictions, team news, predictions lineups and TV info.
Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid match info
- Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026
- Kick off times: 8pm (BST) and 3pm (ET)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase matchday 1
- Venue: Anfield - Merseyside
- How to watch: Paramount+ (USA) & TNT Sports 1 (UK)
How can I watch Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid?
In the UK & Ireland, this match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max. Viewers in the United States can find the fixture on Paramount+.
Other broadcasters around the world include Stan Sport in Australia, DAZN in Austria, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Portugal, Movistar+ in Spain, Canal+ Live 2 in France, beIN Sports in the Arab world and ESPN in South America.
Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid match preview
Recent Form
Liverpool (Home team): After claiming their first victory under Andoni Iraola, can Liverpool start to build some momentum? On Friday night, two quick-fire goals in the opening nine minutes from Alexander Isak, both set up by Cody Gakpo, saw Liverpool swat aside Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Before this, Iraola's tenure had began with two, pretty underwhelming, 2-2 draw against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, in which the Reds had required late equalisers to pinch a point both times. Now though, while beating Ipswich doesn't prove that Liverpool are fixed and ready to compete, they have an opportunity to put together a winning run, with pointless Fulham and then goalless Tottenham in the EFL Cup to visit Anfield in the next week.
Looking at the Champions League specifically, since the introduction of the league phase, Liverpool have finished first and third, hoping for something similar this time round. They will also host Villarreal, Porto and Lens, while travelling to take on LASK, Fenerbahçe, Club Brugge and Inter Milan. Thus, this home opener is one of their toughest assignments, meaning three points would leave the Reds well placed to secure another top eight finish.
Atlético Madrid (Away team): On the flip side, how strong are Atlético Madrid? Los Colchoneros are preparing for a 14th successive Champions League campaign, reaching last season's semi-finals, but appear unlikely to be a serious contender this time round. On Saturday, Diego Simeone's side were demolished 3-0 by Athletic Club at San Mamés, putting in a shambolic defensive display in Bilbao.
This means Atleti have won just two of their opening four La Liga games, also held to a chaotic 2-2 draw by Villarreal at the Metropolitano last month. Thus, given how strong Barcelona and Real Madrid have both looked, los Rojiblancos might find themselves out of the title race very early in a season once again. With Atlético at a pretty low ebb, Liverpool have to fancy their chances of victory.
Liverpool team news
The one change Andoni Iraola made to his starting lineup on Friday saw Ronald Araújo come in at right-back for Jeremie Frimpong at right-back. After the Dutchman's chaotic displays, the Uruguayan is likely to keep his place for the time being.
The other main question mark is at the base of midfield. Ryan Gravenberch has been benched since the opening weekend draw with Newcastle, so will Alexis Mac Allister keep his place? Lastly, after debuting off the bench at Portman Road, it feels unlikely that new signing Bradley Barcola will start, but he will make his Anfield bow at some stage.
Atlético Madrid team news
Diego Simeone is without Arnau Ortiz, who is suspended due to a red card he picked up in a Conference League qualifier for Śląsk Wrocław over two years ago. At the weekend in Bilbao, los Colchoneros played without a recognised centre-forward, but have options to change that.
Julián Álvarez remains public enemy number one, after his dream move to Barcelona never materialised. Alexander Sørloth is sidelined, but Jonathan David could debut, having arrived on loan from Juventus. Meantime, after making his first appearance in Atleti colours on Saturday, there could be a first start for former Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
Lastly, Liverpool fans all know to watch out for Marcos Llorente. He has bagged braces both times he's visited Merseyside before, and has a dog called Anfield, so how dangerous will he be from right-back?
Predicted Line-ups
- Liverpool predicted lineup: Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Muñoz, Gakpo, Isak.
- Atlético Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak; Llorente, Romero, Háncko, Grimaldo; Barrios, Koke, Giuliano, Lee Kang-in, Lookman; David.
- Score prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Atlético Madrid.
Add us as a preferred source on Google