Liverpool and Atletico Madrid have unveiled their starting line-ups ahead of their first group stage match in the 2026/27 Champions League this evening at Anfield.
Liverpool's manager, Andoni Iraola, has opted for Alisson in goal. The defence will feature Jeremy Jacque and Virgil van Dijk at the heart, with Ronald Araújo and Miloš Kerkéz occupying the full-back positions.
In the midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will sit deep, while the attacking trio will comprise Ngumokha, Florian Wirtz, and Bradley Barcola. Alexander Isak will lead the line as the main striker.
This match marks a significant moment for Barcola, as he features in the starting XI for Liverpool in the Champions League for the first time since his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain.
On the other side, Diego Simeone has chosen a traditional four-man defence for Atletico. Jan Oblak takes his place between the sticks, flanked by Marcos Llorente, Pablo Barrios, Mark Pubill, and Hanko in the backline.
The midfield will see Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, and Alex Baena combining, while the attacking trio features Julian Alvarez, Adeyemo Lukman, and Giuliano Simeone.
Notably, several key players for Atletico, including Koke, Lee Kang-in, David, and Rodrigo de Paul, begin the match on the bench.
This match also marks Andoni Iraola’s debut in the Champions League as Liverpool's head coach. The Reds come into this clash buoyed by a 2-0 victory against Ipswich, while Atletico are looking to bounce back from a 0-3 defeat to their rivals in La Liga.
Liverpool's starting XI
Alisson; Ronald Araújo, Jeremy Jacque, Virgil van Dijk, Miloš Kerkéz; Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Ngumokha, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola; Alexander Isak.
Manager: Andoni Iraola.
Atletico's starting XI
Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Cristian Romero, Mark Pubill, Hanko; Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, Alex Baena, Giuliano Simeone; Adeyemo Lukman, Julian Alvarez.
Manager: Diego Simeone.
