Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid: Squad Preview

When Liverpool host Atlético Madrid in their Champions League opener, the anticipation is as much about who takes the field as it is about how the game will be played. With both clubs wrestling with injuries and reintegrating players at different fitness levels, Tuesday night’s clash promises to be a test of depth, adaptability, and managerial clarity.

Arne Slot addressed the media earlier today, and his comments offered valuable insight into how Liverpool’s squad is shaping up for the contest.

Liverpool: Slot’s Calculated Risks

The biggest headline concerns Alexander Isak. Liverpool’s marquee summer signing will be in the squad, but Slot made it clear he is not yet ready for a full 90 minutes. After missing significant chunks of pre-season, Isak is still regaining sharpness. Slot suggested the Swede could feature for around 45 minutes, but the decision on whether to start him or bring him on later will be tactical. That leaves Hugo Ekitike as the likeliest option to lead the line from the opening whistle, with Isak kept in reserve to change the game.

Alexis Mac Allister is another uncertainty. He limped off at halftime against Burnley with an ankle knock, and while Slot described the substitution as precautionary, he admitted the Argentine’s availability would depend on how he responds in the final training sessions - it would be a slim bet on seeing him feature very much against Atletico Madrid. Curtis Jones, however, is definitely out, a blow to Liverpool’s midfield rotation.

What we do know is that Alisson will start in goal, and Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are set to anchor the defense. On the flanks, Conor Bradley looks likely to start at right-back, though Slot also mentioned Jeremie Frimpong as a ready option, hinting at possible rotation with the right back recently back from injury. On the left, new signing Milos Kerkez has quickly earned trust but after being hooked early against Burnley, Andy Robertson offers a steadier alternative.

In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai is a near certainty, and Ryan Gravenberch seems the natural partner in Jones’s absence. Florian Wirtz will almost certainly operate as the creative fulcrum just behind the striker, with Mohamed Salah cutting in from the right and Cody Gakpo stretching play from the left.

This leaves Slot with a decision: does he unleash Isak early to test Atlético’s backline, or keep him as an ace in the hole if the game becomes tight?

Atlético Madrid: Simeone’s Thin Deck

If Slot is juggling options, Diego Simeone is patching holes. The Argentine coach arrives at Anfield without Julián Álvarez, a confirmed absentee after picking up an injury. He is joined on the sidelines by Thiago Almada, José María Giménez, Álex Baena, and Johnny Cardoso — a brutal list that has stripped Atlético of depth and balance. Defender Dávid Hancko has traveled, but is unlikely to start due to an ankle problem.

Still, Simeone thrives in adversity. Jan Oblak will marshal the goal as always, while the defensive unit is expected to feature Robin Le Normand and Clément Lenglet at its core. On the flanks, Marcos Llorente may again be asked to fill in at right-back, with Javi Galán covering the left.

In midfield, Pablo Barrios and Conor Gallagher are tipped to form the engine room, supported by Nicolás González and Giuliano Simeone, whose work rate suits Atlético’s demand for compactness. The attack is still formidable despite absentees: Antoine Griezmann remains the heartbeat of the team, partnering Alexander Sørloth, whose size and aerial presence give Atleti a clear out ball.

Simeone’s plan seems obvious: frustrate Liverpool, exploit set pieces, and hope Griezmann’s craft or Sørloth’s power can steal a decisive moment.

What the Lineups Mean

For Liverpool, the story is about integration. Wirtz has added guile, Salah remains the proven match-winner, and Ekitike offers freshness up front. But Isak’s fitness looms large — when he enters the pitch, he changes the tone of Liverpool’s attack. Slot will also have to balance energy in midfield, especially if Mac Allister isn’t ready to anchor play.

For Atlético, the lineup is a survival exercise. Missing Álvarez and Giménez strips them of both firepower and leadership, yet Simeone has built careers out of leaning into the underdog role. Griezmann’s versatility will be key: if he drops deep, he can disrupt Liverpool’s midfield buildup; if he stays high, he’ll be their main source of goals.

Probable Starting XIs

Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Bradley, Konaté, van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Atlético Madrid (4-4-2):
Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galán; Barrios, Gallagher, González, Giuliano Simeone; Griezmann, Sørloth.

Final Word

Last Meeting

The last time Liverpool and Atlético Madrid met came in the 2021/22 Champions League group stage at Anfield, where Liverpool ran out 2–0 winners thanks to first-half goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané. That victory sealed Liverpool’s place in the knockout rounds and underlined how dangerous they could be against Simeone’s compact setup when playing at home.

What It Bodes

That match serves as a reminder that while Atlético are notoriously stubborn opponents, Liverpool’s pressing and pace in attack have historically caused them problems at Anfield. With a revamped forward line and fresh creativity under Slot, Liverpool will feel confident that history points in their favour — though Simeone’s teams are rarely beaten the same way twice.

Slot’s press conference underlined one truth: Liverpool are not at full tilt yet. But even with Isak’s restricted minutes and Mac Allister’s fitness doubts, they possess enough depth to stretch an Atlético side coming into the match shorthanded. Simeone, though, has never needed a full deck to frustrate bigger opponents.

If Liverpool can move the ball quickly through midfield and release Salah and Wirtz into dangerous areas, they will test Atlético’s patched-up defense. But if the Spanish side can slow the game, lean on Oblak, and capitalize on moments of chaos, the contest could be closer than the lineups suggest.

At Anfield, against a team stitched together by willpower, one thing is certain: nothing will come easy.