Anfield stands ready for another classic European night as Liverpool kick-start their 2026-27 Champions League campaign against Atlético Madrid. For the Anfield faithful, this League Phase opener brings an immediate echo of last season’s dramatic matchday one, when the Reds edged a five-goal thriller capped off by Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute winner.
This time around, the landscape looks a little different. A new era is officially underway on Merseyside, and the fixture list pits us straight into the deep end against Diego Simeone’s seasoned Spanish side.
The Iraola Era Meets the Champions League
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Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first-ever Champions League fixture as Liverpool manager, stepping into Europe’s elite arena after taking over the reins from Arne Slot over the summer.
Ahead of his first taste of Champions League football as head coach during Tuesday [pre match press conference he said:](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/andoni-iraola-press-conference-atletico-analysis-simeone-reunion-and-special-night-anfield)
_**“Yes, I think obviously it’s a special night for me,” he said during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.**_
_**“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.**_
The Reds have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the domestic campaign, though consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest left supporters wanting more before a clinical 2-0 away win at Ipswich Town last Friday. Alexander Isak stole the show at Portman Road, netting a quick-fire brace in the opening nine minutes to hand Iraola his first Premier League victory.
Now, the Basque boss turns his attention to continental football. Six-time winners Liverpool are eager to improve on last season’s quarter-final exit where a 4-0 aggregate loss to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain brought our run to a halt and end an eight-year wait to lift the trophy again. It is also a historic milestone for the club, marking our 30th appearance in Europe’s premier competition and the 50th anniversary of that unforgettable first triumph in Rome back in 1977.
The Opposition: Wounded Atleti Come to Town
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Atlético Madrid arrive on Merseyside looking to bounce back from a reality check in La Liga. An unbeaten start to their domestic season came to an abrupt end on Saturday with a 30 defeat away at Athletic Bilbao. Diego Simeone openly lamented his side’s second-half collapse, calling it a “real wake-up call” after a summer that saw star striker Julián Alvarez heavily linked with moves away from the Spanish capital.
Atleti have now conceded six second-half goals across their last three matches. However, writing off a Simeone side on a European night is a fool’s errand. The long-serving Argentine coach now the longest-serving manager in this season’s Champions League after taking charge way back in December 2011 remains a master of tournament football.
History favors a competitive contest. Los Rojiblancos have never won a Champions League group or League Phase match against English opposition, drawing four and losing six of their 10 prior attempts. Yet, they remain a constant threat in front of goal, having failed to score in just two of their last 24 matches at this stage of the competition.
Match Details and How to Watch
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* **Fixture:** Liverpool v Atlético Madrid
* **Competition:** UEFA Champions League (League Phase – Matchday 1)
* **Date:** Wednesday, September 9, 2026
* **Venue:** Anfield
* **Kick-off:** 20:00 UK time
* **TV and Streaming:** Live coverage begins at 19:00 UK time on **TNT Sports 1**, **TNT Sports Ultimate**, and **HBO Max**.
With 60 points securing our spot in the League Phase format, the past is behind us we are back in Europe’s elite company, and we are in it to win it.