Andoni Iraola will oversee his first Champions League match as Liverpool manager when the Reds host Atlético Madrid on the opening day of the 2026/27 group stage, Wednesday, September 9, at Anfield.
After a rocky start to his Liverpool tenure with two draws in the Premier League, Iraola led the team to a convincing 2-0 victory over Ipswich last Friday. Now, the Merseyside club faces Atlético Madrid once again in Europe, aiming to extend their dominance over the Spanish side.
This fixture marks the second consecutive season Liverpool and Atlético have met in the Champions League group phase. Liverpool is looking to secure a fourth consecutive win against Los Rojiblancos, who have struggled to overcome the English club since their last victory in the 2019/20 round of 16, when Atlético triumphed 3-2 after extra time.
Recent Encounters and Current Form
Since that dramatic knockout tie, Atlético Madrid have failed to beat Liverpool in three Champions League matches. They lost both home and away fixtures in the 2020/21 group stage and suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at Anfield on the opening matchday of last season’s group round.
Atlético have accumulated seven points from their first four LaLiga matches this season, showing a steady form domestically. Liverpool, meanwhile, comes into the match buoyed by their recent win, hoping to build momentum under their new manager.
The early moments of the match have seen tight contests for possession and several offside calls, including those against Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Atlético’s Giuliano Simeone. Both teams have engaged in physical challenges, with Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister receiving a yellow card for a foul, while Atlético’s Pablo Barrios won a free kick in their defensive half.
Atletico’s attempts to threaten Liverpool’s defense have been thwarted, including a blocked right-footed shot from Giuliano Simeone and a corner conceded by Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Julián Alvarez’s effort for Atlético was also saved, highlighting the intensity and defensive resilience on both sides during the opening stages.