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The reigning Premier League champions have secured maximum points from their first three domestic fixtures, netting a flurry of late goals in the process.
After scoring twice in the closing stages to edge a plucky Bournemouth outfit on the opening weekend, the Reds triumphed at St. James Park thanks to a dramatic injury-time winner from teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha. A trademark Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick put Liverpool ahead in the 83rd minute against Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s men unable to find a response before the full-time whistle.
In stark contrast to their illustrious opponents, Atlético Madrid have begun the 2025/26 campaign in underwhelming fashion. Diego Simeone’s men kicked off their season with a 2-1 defeat to Espanyol in Catalonia, before drawing against newly-promoted Elche and Deportivo Alavés. As a consequence, they assumed 17th position in the La Liga table heading into the early international break.
Both teams suffered similar fates in last season’s Champions League, exiting the competition via a penalty shootout at the Round of 16 stage. Liverpool were eliminated by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, while Atléti lost out in controversial circumstances to familiar foes Real Madrid following Julián Alvarez’s ‘double-touch’ spot-kick.
Wednesday’s keenly anticipated tie will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, with coverage commencing at 19:00 (BST).
Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid: Key information
Date: Wednesday 17th September
Kick-off time: 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Anfield
Referee: TBC
VAR: TBC
TV Channels: TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate
Live stream: discovery+ app
Odds: Liverpool: 8/13, Draw: 3/1, Atlético Madrid: 4/1 (bet365)
Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid team news
Neither manager is burdened by an extensive injury list, with both sets of players appearing to have come through the international break relatively unscathed. Nevertheless, several in Arne Slot’s star-studded squad have just returned to full fitness, while Diego Simeone currently has two first-teamers sidelined with medium-term issues.
Liverpool team news
The question on everyone’s lips is whether Alexander Isak will play a part on Wednesday night, following his record-breaking switch from Premier League rivals Newcastle United. Isak featured as a second-half substitute in his country’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Kosovo, but Slot will be keen to gently integrate the Swedish marksman given his lack of game time in pre-season.
Ibrahima Konaté and Florian Wirtz hobbled off during the closing stages of the Reds’ narrow victory over Arsenal, but neither player sustained an injury. Slot confirmed Wirtz was struggling a little with fatigue as his body acclimatises to the Premier League’s intensity, while Konaté was withdrawn after developing cramp late on. Both players have featured for their international sides over the past week, with Wirtz netting against Northern Ireland on Sunday evening. Liverpool teammate Conor Bradley also featured from the start in that match, having returned to full training just ahead of the international break.
Speaking of right-backs, Jeremie Frimpong is in contention after recovering from a mild hamstring injury. The dynamic Dutchman was forced off an hour into his Premier League debut, subsequently missing Liverpool’s next two fixtures. Although Dominik Szoboszlai has performed well as an auxiliary full-back in recent weeks, expect either Frimpong or Bradley to be reintroduced into Slot’s starting XI.
That should result in the Hungarian international being shifted forward, potentially at the expense of Ryan Gravenberch. It’s likely Alexis Mac Allister will partner Szoboszlai in central midfield, although the 26-year-old’s omission from Argentina’s clash with Venezuela initially sparked fears of a fresh injury concern. However, it was later revealed that a travel delay had prevented Mac Allister from training with his international colleagues, causing Lionel Scaloni to leave him out.
After a series of assured displays following his summer switch from Bournemouth, Milos Kerkez is set to continue at left-back, with Andy Robertson once again consigned to a place on the bench.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs. Atlético Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Arne Slot
Alisson Becker (GK), Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister,
Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike
Atlético Madrid team news
Despite recently facing criticism from senior figures within the club for persevering with his conservative tactical set-up, it’s highly unlikely Diego Simeone will change his playing philosophy. A poor start to the season certainly hasn’t helped his cause in this regard, but expect the Argentinian to once again prioritise defensive solidity over attacking exuberance.
Los Colchoneros will likely adopt a flat 4-4-2 formation, having operated within this system in two of their opening three league encounters. After starting the campaign with a central defensive partnership of Spanish international Robin Le Normand and new signing Dávid Hancko, Simeone has moved the latter to full-back and drafted Clément Lenglet into the heart of Atléti’s back four. Meanwhile, Uruguayan centre-half José María Giménez suffered a setback in his rehabilitation just before the international break, feeling pain in his calf after aggravating an ongoing hamstring injury at the Club World Cup.
Álex Baena has endured a challenging start to his Atléti career following his summer switch from Villarreal, sustaining a muscle injury shortly after his arrival in the Spanish capital before undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis at the beginning of September. It’s hoped the intelligent playmaker will be back in action before the next international break, meaning he could be available for the Champions League meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of the month.
Fellow midfielder Conor Gallagher has been forced to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks, while Giuliano Simeone – Diego’s son and first-choice right winger – hopes to be on the scoresheet once again after netting the opener in Los Rojiblancos’ 1-1 draw with Alavés. Julián Alvarez and Alexander Sørloth usually lead the line, with both scoring one apiece so far this term.
Atlético Madrid predicted line-up vs. Liverpool (4-4-2)
Coach: Diego Simeone
Jan Oblak (GK), Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, Clément Lenglet, Dávid Hancko, Giuliano Simeone, Johnny Cardoso,
Pablo Barrios, Thiago Almada, Julián Alvarez, Alexander Sørloth
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
The match will be shown exclusively live on TNT Sports, the UK’s main broadcaster of Champions League football. Viewers can watch events at Anfield unfold on TNT Sports 1, or enjoy the match in 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos surround sound (provided they have a compatible device) over on TNT Sports Ultimate.
Those with a relevant subscription can access live coverage of the match via the discovery+ app, while stats, highlights, and expert analysis are available on the TNT Sports app.
Head-to-Head record
Liverpool and Atlético Madrid have previously faced each other on eight occasions, with both sides winning three contests. The last rendezvous between these two European heavyweights came in the group stage of the 2021/22 Champions League campaign, which saw the Merseysiders twice emerge victorious. A late Mo Salah penalty handed the visitors a 3-2 victory at the Metropolitano, before Jürgen Klopp’s men comfortably dispatched Atléti on home soil the following month.
The Spaniards would later be eliminated by Manchester City after overcoming cross-city foes Manchester United in the Round of 16, while Liverpool would suffer a 1-0 defeat in the Paris showpiece against Real Madrid.
Odds for Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid
Given each team’s current form and recent European record, it’s hardly surprising to see Liverpool receiving the shortest prices in the betting markets. Odds of 13/20 for a home win are available at leading bookmaker bet365, which we believe represents good value for money. Nevertheless, an Atléti triumph at 4/1 is also an attractive option, particularly when you consider Simeone’s outfit often thrives as the underdog.
Moneyline odds
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change. All odds provided by bet365