Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid- The Big Match Preview

Liverpool return to Europe for another season, having scraped into the competition at the end of last season, with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid returning to Anfield.

Match Context

It's the sixth time in three seasons that the two sides have met each other in matches in what will surely be an intense, but entertaining, encounter. 

The Reds go into the match following a morale-boosting 2-0 win away against Ipswich Town in the league. Man of the match in that game, Alexander Isak, will look to build on his two goals in that match, as he starts to move on from an extremely disappointing season last year.

Atleti, for their part, will land on Merseyside after losing 3-0 to Andoni Iraola's old side Athletic Bilbao, and find themselves sitting sixth after four games in La Liga. 

Like Liverpool, Madrid will be looking towards a season of improvement, having finished some twenty-five points behind La Liga champions Barcelona. At the same time, however, they will look to maintain their European form from last season - a run to the semi-final, including notable wins against Tottenham Hotspur and Barca, before being knocked out by eventual Premier League Champions Arsenal. 

However, the side, which last won La Liga in 2021, enters the European season with questions swirling around over the futures of certain players and staff. 

In what will be his fifteenth season at the Metropolitano Stadium, manager Diego Simeone’s contract will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2026/27 season, and there is a growing sense that the club need change at the top. 

Elsewhere, former Manchester City forward Julián Álvarez has found playing time limited so far this season, after a summer where the player pushed for moves to either Arsenal or Barcelona, the latter of which was threatened with legal action. At the same time, Atletico is perceived as a legal approach for the 26-year-old Argentine. 

Team News

However, away from politics, the Rojiblancos go into the game with no injuries or suspensions and will look to go hard against the Reds at Anfield. 

Speaking of Liverpool, Cody Gakpo sat out training yesterday, on what is being described as a ‘precaution’, whilst Joe Gomez took part in his first full training since being injured in preseason. 

Elsewhere, manager Andoni Iraola said that Bradley Barcola was ‘ready for minutes’, and fellow wingers Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha were both also fit. 

Ultimately, aside from an apparent precaution for Cody Gakpo - and the ongoing absences of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa - the Reds are broadly at full strength. 

Even if Gakpo does sit this one out, which will be hugely disappointing given the Dutchman’s form this season, Liverpool are extremely strong on that left-hand side, and will not have to look too far to find a replacement.

Key Players to Watch

With a number of players keen to prove themslves on the european stage, we can expect a number of performances to stand out. Munoz facing against a previous spanish team, Araujo in the same boat. Barcola, with 2 UCL trophies in a row, and Gakpo on a hot streak. Isak has been finding his feet and now seems to be settling in. 

For this match, I belive Writz can shine. With the arival of Barcola, and a different pace of game, he can play the way he has always wanted to, and this game gives him the opportunity of freedom. The last time he faced them, he created 5 chances and now the players needed to convert that are on form, I believe he can fly. 

Predicted XI 

Liverpool 

Alisson, Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jaquet, Aurjo, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Barcola, Wirtz, Ngamoha, Isak.

Atletico Madrid 

Oblack, Grimaldo, Romero, Public, Llorente, Hjulmund, Cardoso, Baena, Lee, Simeone, David.