Andoni Iraola will manage in the Champions League for the first time when Liverpool host Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
The Reds welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield on matchday one of this season’s league phase, with the game marking Iraola’s first as a manager in the competition.
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However, Iraola has previous European experience, having coached AEK Larnaca in 12 Europa League fixtures during the 2018/19 season.
Speaking ahead of the game, the former Bournemouth boss said during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference: “I think obviously it’s a special night for me.
“Everyone talks [about] the Champions League nights at Anfield and also the first game is against a strong opposition, it’s Atletico Madrid. Simeone is doing an incredible job as a manager.
“To be all the years that he has been achieving every season the goals of the club I think is remarkable and definitely it’s a big challenge for us.
“I think I played against him as a player, he was still a player, and I played against his teams when he was a coach and I also coached against him. So, we had a lot of precedent before.
“Definitely he has much more experience than me in these kinds of games but I hope tomorrow we can give him a good game, yes.”
Andoni Iraola’s Reds claimed their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Friday, with Alexander Isak scoring twice in the first half.
Liverpool also handed £123million summer signing Bradley Barcola his debut, and the Frenchman could be in line for a start against Atletico Madrid.
Atletico, meanwhile, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga at the weekend. Julian Alvarez was brought on from the bench amid uncertainty over his future, while Alexander Sorloth missed out through injury.
Alvarez has been included in Diego Simeone’s 24-man travelling squad for the Champions League opener. The La Liga club will be without winger Arnau Ortiz, who is suspended, while Sorloth misses out through injury.
Teenage striker Miguel Cubo has not been included and is expected to feature for the Under-19s against Liverpool earlier in the day.
Atletico Madrid squad against Liverpool below:
Goalkeepers: Oblak, Musso, Esquivel
Defenders: Romero, Hancko, Pubill, Le Normand, Dominguez, Martinez, Grimaldo, Llorente.
Midfielders: Koke, Hjulmand, Barrios, Mendoza, Cardoso, Vargas, Castillo.
Forwards: Alvarez, David, Lee, Lookman, Simeone, Baena.
La lista para Liverpool 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/8h9OPekMbO
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 8, 2026
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