Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign at Anfield tonight, with Bradley Barcola handed his first start for the club against Atlético Madrid.
Andoni Iraola makes two changes from the side that beat Ipswich Town 2-0 on Friday, with Barcola and Rio Ngumoha replacing Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz in attack.
Barcola made his Liverpool debut from the bench at Portman Road and now gets his first opportunity from the start, lining up on the left. Ngumoha starts on the opposite flank, with Florian Wirtz operating behind Alexander Isak.
The rest of the side is unchanged. Alisson starts in goal, with Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez continuing as the back four.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister retain their places in midfield, while Isak leads the attack after scoring both goals in the win at Ipswich.
Gakpo is not included in the matchday squad after missing training on Tuesday as a precaution. Jayden Danns is among the substitutes for the first time under Iraola.
Atlético start with Julián Álvarez and Kang-in Lee in attack, while Diego Simeone can call on Ademola Lookman and Jonathan David from the bench.
Tonight also marks Iraola’s first Champions League match as a manager, with Liverpool looking to make a winning start to the eight-game league phase.
Liverpool team: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Chambers, Nyoni, McConnell, Gravenberch, Munoz, Koumas, Danns
Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at Anfield at 20:00 BST on Wednesday September 9 2026.
