KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola has a small squad available to face Atletico Madrid as he begins the challenge of juggling Liverpool’s Champions League and domestic football.
Having only ever completed a brief Europa League venture while coaching AEK Larnaca, the Champions League represents new territory for Iraola this season.
With the first match a tricky test against Atletico, he has six senior players not available and one doubt in attack.
Here is who could miss out for Liverpool vs. Atletico:
Cody Gakpo (precaution) – Doubt after missing Tuesday training
Joe Gomez (muscle) – Unavailable but has returned to training
Federico Chiesa (not registered) – Unavailable and injured
Wataru Endo (not registered) – Unavailable
Giovanni Leoni (ACL) – Unavailable
Conor Bradley (knee) – Unavailable
Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) – Unavailable
Cody Gakpo was absent from training on Tuesday “as a precaution,” according to journalist Paul Joyce, so the Dutchman is a doubt to play.
Due to limits on the number of non-homegrown players a club can register for the Champions League, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo were not included in the squad.
This means they can play no part in European competition, and this can only be changed in January.
Regardless, Chiesa is injured and isn’t expected back in training until the international break, which begins on September 21.
Thankfully, Bradley Barcola is a far more capable attacker and could feature against Atletico.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I think he’s ready to play more minutes,” Iraola said of the Reds’ French winger.
“He has been training quite normally. The only thing is he hasn’t had the pre-season minutes that normally players have.
“We have to consider this, but I see him in a really good place. I think he can play more minutes definitely.”
Joe Gomez is the closest of Liverpool’s absentees to being back in action. He is still absent for this one but is expected back in training this week.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Meanwhile, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike continue to recover from long-term knee and Achilles injuries, respectively.
Interestingly, the pair have been named in the Champions League squad, indicating that there is a chance they could be involved before the squad is re-registered in January.
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Liverpool’s available squad vs. Atletico
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