The last meeting between these two European heavyweights at Anfield saw the hosts claim a dramatic 3-2 victory thanks to a 92nd-minute stoppage-time Virgil van Dijk winner.
Now, six-time European winners Liverpool return to home turf to welcome a dangerous Atletico Madrid side in the opening week of the 2026-27 Champions League.
It's Champions League action on Wednesday, September 9, as Atletico travel to Merseyside to face a Liverpool side chasing an eight-year wait to reclaim Europe's biggest prize. Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first-ever Champions League fixture as a manager.
Team Form
Liverpool: back-to-back draws with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest preceded a first win of the Iraola era.
Atletico Madrid: an unbeaten start to the season was ended by a heavy defeat at Athletic Bilbao.
Key Stats & Head-to-Head
Liverpool have found the net in nine straight competitive outings, with multiple goals in six of them.
The Reds have won all six of their League Phase meetings with Spanish opposition, with four clean sheets across their last five.
Atletico Madrid are still chasing a first-ever League Phase or group-stage win over English opposition, having drawn four and lost six of ten meetings.
Atleti have been blanked in just two of their last 24 League Phase/group games, and have netted in four of their last five trips to Anfield (W1 D1 L3).
No manager left in this season's competition has held his job longer than Diego Simeone, who took the Atletico reins back in December 2011.
What to Expect From Both Teams
Liverpool | Form: DDW
Iraola's men finally found their scoring touch last time out, with Alexander Isak scoring twice inside the opening nine minutes of a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town.
That result made Iraola the first Liverpool boss since Brendan Rodgers to avoid going three league games without a win to start his reign, and the Reds will look to carry that momentum into Europe.
Atletico Madrid | Form: WDWL
Simeone's side arrive off the back of a chastening 3-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao that ended their unbeaten start to the season and exposed frailty after the break.
Despite the setback, Atletico remain last season's semi-finalists and three-time losing finalists, and Simeone will demand an immediate response on the road.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool (possible):
Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak.
Atletico Madrid (possible):
Oblak, Llorente, Pubill, Romero, Grimaldo, Koke, Hjulmand, G. Simeone, Baena, Lookman, David.
Matchups & Players to Watch
Alexander Isak: Fresh off a quickfire double at Ipswich, though he has just a single goal to show from 13 Champions League outings in his career.
Barcola: Liverpool’s new 100m signing is expected to line up just beside Isak on the left wing, looking to unlock a well-drilled Atletico backline.
Ademola Lookman: The Nigerian forward is expected to start again ahead of wantaway forward Julian Alvarez.
Koke: Atletico's captain could move within touching distance of becoming just the 28th player to reach 150 UEFA club competition appearances.
Odds Market on MSport
Liverpool/Home to win = 1.75
Atletico Madrid/Away to win = 4.83
Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.62
Over 2.5 total goals = 1.61
Liverpool head into this one as the form side, defending a proud home record in Europe, while Atletico will hope Simeone's experience can finally deliver a first-ever League Phase win over English opposition.
Both sides know an opening-night result sets the tone for the League Phase ahead.