Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first Champions League game as Liverpool head coach this evening, with Atletico Madrid visiting Anfield.
Liverpool have won their last three meetings with Diego Simeone’s side, having won just one of their first six encounters since 2008.
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Cody Gakpo was a doubt after missing team training on Tuesday, but the 27-year-old’s absence was understood to be precautionary. However, the Netherlands international has now been left out of Liverpool’s squad altogether.
Gakpo, who was heavily inked with a move to Manchester City in the summer has made a strong start to the season, registering one goal and three assists in the Premier League, including both assists in the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town.
Bradley Barcola makes his first Liverpool start in tonight’s Champions League fixture. The France forward starts the Reds’ league-phase opener at Anfield as Andoni Iraola makes two changes from last Friday’s win at Ipswich Town.
Rio Ngumoha is the other change, while Victor Munoz drops to the bench. Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Gakpo has a minor adductor injury picked up in last Friday’s game against Ipswich Town, but he could be fit to face Fulham this weekend.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off, Iraola said: “Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues.
“Both sides. Nothing specific. [It is] not a proper injury. But we didn’t want to risk him, and I think it makes sense he can rest and hope we can recover him. If it’s not for the weekend, it’s for the next one. But I think even for the weekend he has a chance.”
Hugo Ekitike remains a long-term absentee for Liverpool as he continues his recovery from the serious Achilles’ injury he suffered in April.
Joe Gomez has also been sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up in the opening minutes of Liverpool’s first pre-season game. He returned to full training on Tuesday but was not named in the squad to face Atletico Madrid.
Conor Bradley remains out with the knee injury he suffered in January, while Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from a knee injury sustained last September.
Federico Chiesa is yet to feature this season and was omitted from Liverpool’s Champions League squad, with Wataru Endo also unavailable for the same reason.
Ready for #UCL action 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/XyOupLwsRe
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 9, 2026
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