Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid lineups: Starting XI, team news, injury latest with Isak ready for debut

Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield in their opening C=UEFA Champions League match of the 2025/26 campaign.

While they claimed the Premier League title last season, the Reds were unable to extend their success to the Champions League and were eliminated from the Round of 16 by the reigning champions, Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool have started their Premier League campaign with four straight wins, ranking first in the top flight with 12 points, and will be hoping to maintain the same stride in Europe this season.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, have not made an impressive start to the campaign, with one win, one loss, and two draws in La Liga, where they currently rank 11th with five points. The Spanish side's journey in the Champions League last term also ended in the Round of 16 following their elimination by domestic arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Liverpool and Atletico Madrid have faced each other in six Champions League fixtures, with both sides securing two victories each and the remaining two games ending in a draw.

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Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid lineups: Starting XI, team news, injury latest

Slot's suggestion that Alexander Isak required time to build up his fitness proved to be a smokescreen, as the record signing starts for the first time in a Liverpool shirt. That leaves Hugo Ekitike on the bench, although the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward will surely see time both today and as the season progresses.

Liverpool have two absentees in the midfield due to respective injuries: Curtis Jones, who suffered a muscle injury earlier this month, and Stefan Bajcetic, who has been out with a hamstring issue since May.

Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, has recovered from a hamstring injury and is expected to make it to the starting XI.

Liverpool starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Gravenberch, Szoboszlai — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo — Isak.

Injured: Jones (muscle), Bajcetic (hamstring).
Suspended: None.

MORE: A full preview of Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid including stats, predictions, and picks

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has a tough job at hand with naming the starting XI against Liverpool, as the La Liga side have quite a list of players with injuries and doubts over their fitness.

Even though the Rojiblancos bagged their first win this season on Saturday, the match saw Julian Alvarez, David Hancko, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Robin Le Normand leave the pitch after facing issues. Alvarez is certainly out, and the others will face a battle to be fit.

Surprisingly, Simeone selected Giacomo Raspadori to start up front in place of Julian Alvarez, instead of Alexander Sorloth who retains his role as a super-sub off the bench.

Atletico will also miss Jose Maria Gimenez, Thiago Almada, and Alex Baena due to their respective injuries, while Johnny Cardoso sustained an ankle problem in training.

Atletico Madrid starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): Oblak (GK) — Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan — Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher, N. Gonzalez — Griezmann, Raspadori.

Injured: Alvarez (knee), Hancko (ankle, doubt),  Gimenez (calf, doubt), Baena (appendicitis), Almada (calf), Cardoso (ankle)
Suspended: None

Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid match details

• Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
• Kickoff time: 8 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 5 a.m. AEST (Sep. 17)
• Location: Anfield, Liverpool (England)
• Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase Matchday 1
• Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
• VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo (ITA)