Andoni Iraola has several team selection choices to make across defence, midfield and attack, but the break between games could see him resist making any changes.
Liverpool got their first win of the season on the board last week, and will be aiming to follow it up with their first win of the new Champions League campaign.
With no new injuries to report after the trip to Ipswich, Iraola has a similar squad to select from – with the exception of those excluded from the Reds’ European playing list.
After Bradley Barcola’s debut, Ronald Araujo’s successful stint at right-back and Ryan Gravenberch’s omission from the last two starting XIs, there is plenty for Iraola to consider.
Here is how we predict the Reds could take to the field at Anfield.
Liverpool team news vs. Atletico: No new injuries
Iraola did not disclose any new fitness issues from Friday’s match in his press conference, suggesting the injury list stays as it is
Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa are not in the Champions League squad and, therefore, cannot be selected
Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni, and Hugo Ekitike remain out due to injury
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. Atletico Madrid
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool substitutes Alexis Mac Allister and Víctor Muñoz (R) preparing to come on during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool substitutes Alexis Mac Allister and Víctor Muñoz (R) preparing to come on during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With five days between this game and the last, Iraola could make no changes in the knowledge he will rotate due to the 65-hour turnaround for Fulham’s visit on Saturday.
Liverpool’s defence could, therefore, remain unchanged, leaving Jeremie Frimpong to start from the bench again as Araujo remains at right-back.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have started to establish a positive balance in midfield and could be trusted again, with Florian Wirtz ahead.
And the same faces could continue in attack, with Victor Munoz and Cody Gakpo supporting Alexander Isak before the likes of Barcola and Rio Ngumoha are turned to off the bench.
Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Alternatively, there could be two changes for the Reds – one in midfield and one in attack.
With only 45 minutes of playing time across the last two games compared to Mac Allister’s 161, Gravenberch could be trusted to return to central midfield alongside Szoboszlai.
And with Iraola confirming Barcola is “ready to play more” after his 26-minute debut at Ipswich, the Frenchman could be handed his first start.
Gakpo would then shift to the right, considering his current form, to accommodate the 24-year-old.
Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
The evening marks Iraola’s first Champions League match as a head coach, and under the lights at Anfield promises to make it a memorable one.
His side, though, needs to ensure they are ready to harass Atletico’s defenders and feed balls beyond what is typically a stubborn rearguard, which was exploited in a 3-0 defeat over the weekend.
Liverpool need to back up their win against Ipswich and continue to see performances improve, let’s hope that proves to be the case at Anfield!
iraolahughes
Iraola Barcola
Iraola Barcola