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Liverpool will welcome a familiar face to Anfield in Atletico Madrid, with the pair set to get their Champions League campaigns underway on Wednesday.
Andoni Iraola will take charge of his first ever game in a UEFA competition, but his Reds side are set for a difficult test against Diego Simeone's Atletico.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid key stats
- Both teams have scored in eight of Liverpool's last nine games.
- Atletico Madrid conceded three goals in two of their past three meetings with Liverpool.
- Alexander Isak has scored three goals in three games for Liverpool this season.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid preview: A new beginning for Andoni Iraola
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid — Tale of the Tape
| Liverpool | vs | Atletico Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (Premier League) | Position | 6th (La Liga) |
| 5 | Points | 7 |
| 6 | Goals For | 7 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 6 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 12th | Home / Away Rank | 7th |
Liverpool's history in European competitions is unrivalled in England, and having won the Champions League six times, no other team in the Premier League can compare.
New boss Iraola has the privilege of leading his side out at Anfield on Wednesday, and that will be his first ever game in a UEFA tournament as a manager, a fact that has worried some supporters.
The Reds have five points from three Premier League games, and the intensity of the head coach's style has pleased fans, but it remains to be seen if his players can play in such an intense manner once the schedule ramps up.
Liverpool's squad is relatively healthy considering the only players that have been ruled out with a realistic chance of playing first-team football are Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, while Joe Gomez will return to training this week.
New signing Bradley Barcola came off the bench in Liverpool's 2-0 win against Ipswich Town on Friday, and he could be in line to make his first start of the season.
Atletico Madrid will arrive at Anfield on the back of their first defeat of 2026-27, losing 3-0 to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The loss has by no means put them out of contention for silverware in La Liga, especially as the five-point gap to Barcelona is surmountable, but too often have they been held back by inconsistencies in recent years.
Simeone has frequently faced Liverpool, with the head coach having taken on the Reds five times since 2020, though he will hope to avoid a repeat of his team's 3-2 loss at Anfield in September 2025.
Despite pushing for a move in the summer transfer window, Julian Alvarez has been reintegrated into Ateti's squad, and he is set for his first start of the season.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid form guide & betting tips
| Liverpool | vs | Atletico Madrid |
|---|---|---|
DDW |
Form | WDWL |
| 6 | Goals For | 7 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 6 |
N/A |
Champions League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Liverpool 3-1 Atletico Madrid
The bookmakers have looked at Liverpool's improved performances and have subsequently backed a home win at 7/10 (1.7).
Both teams have scored in eight of Liverpool's last nine matches, so it makes sense to predict Both Teams to Score at 8/13 (1.62).
The Reds have looked more threatening this season compared to last, and they have a strong scoring record against Atletico in recent meetings, which could make predicting Over 2.5 Goals for Liverpool at 19/10 (2.9) a sensible bet.
Isak's improved return in front of goal for Liverpool may indicate he is ready to showcase his immense talent on a consistent basis, and there could be value in backing Alexander Isak to Score 2+ Goals at 6/1 at (7).
> Both Teams to Score at 8/13 (1.62) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 Goals for Liverpool at 19/10 (2.9) | Likelihood: Possible
> Alexander Isak to Score 2+ Goals at 6/1 at (7) | Likelihood: Outsider