Bradley Barcola during the Premier League match at Portman Road, Ipswich. September 4, 2026. (Alamy Image)
Bradley Barcola during the Premier League match at Portman Road, Ipswich. September 4, 2026. (Alamy Image)
Bradley Barcola makes his first start for Liverpool as they kick off the Champions League at home to Atletico Madrid, with Jayden Danns also in the squad.
Liverpool host Atletico for the third time in five years, with a different manager in the dugout for each of those ties.
This clash marks Andoni Iraola’s Champions League debut and the Spaniard has handed his biggest-ever signing his full debut.
Alisson starts behind a back four of Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.
The midfield consists of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, the latter starting after admitting his disappointment at not being offered a new contract.
With Cody Gakpo missing out, Rio Ngumoha starts on the right and Barcola on the left, supporting the central duo of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Danns makes the squad for the first time under Iraola, with the 20-year-old striker drafted in after missing pre-season with the new head coach.
Liverpool: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Chambers, Nyoni, McConnell, Gravenberch, Munoz, Koumas, Danns
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Romero, Hancko; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Baena; Lee, Alvarez
Substitutes: Musso, Vargas, Mendoza, Cardoso, Lookman, David, Grimaldo, Hjulmand, Le Normand, Dominguez, Martinez, Castillo
How to Watch Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid in the UK
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid is being shown live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK, which is available to live stream on HBO Max here.
Live audio commentary of Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid, the post-match scenes, a full match replay and highlights will also be available on All Red Video here.
This Is Anfield will also be providing live text commentary throughout on our website and full match reaction and analysis on the This Is Anfield app for iPhone and Android later.
You can follow all of tonight’s action with us by downloading the This Is Anfield app for iPhone and Android for free.
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v Atlético Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: The official matchday programme seen before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
19s
Barcola Macca
Barcola Macca