Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid: Team news, referee & TV info for Champions League – Liverpool FC

The Champions League is back for another season and Liverpool start their campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield, which falls on Arne Slot‘s 47th birthday!

Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid

Champions League (1) | Anfield
September 17, 2025 | 8pm (BST)

Liverpool left it late, again, to maintain their 100 percent start in the Premier League, but the points on the board are all that matter as the team continues to search for cohesion.

Atletico Madrid are the next test as the Champions League returns to Anfield, with hopes and expectations for a memorable European campaign.

1. Still 1 absentee for Liverpool

Curtis Jones is still unavailable for Liverpool after the injury he sustained before the international break, with the midfielder not training with the squad on Tuesday.

Alexis Mac Allister, however, allayed fears after being withdrawn at half time over the weekend following a nasty challenge to his ankle by training as normal.

There were no unexpected surprises, though Jayden Danns joined the senior group as they prepared for the clash, while Alexander Isak was present ahead of his expected debut.

Slot hinted at a possible start for the Swede, but insisted he “will not play 90 minutes.”

2. Julian Alvarez NOT involved

Julian Alvarez will play no part in this fixture after failing to travel with his teammates after suffering a knee injury over the weekend.

Alvarez was Atletico’s Player of the Season for 2024/25 after scoring 29 goals in 57 games, and his absence will be felt by Diego Simeone and those who like to watch the opposition’s best players close-up.

Centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez, midfielder Johnny Cardoso, forward Thiago Almada and winger Alex Baena also miss out.

Atletico’s 22-man squad does, however, include left-back David Hancko, centre-back Robin Le Normand and winger Nico Gonzalez, plus Alexander Sorloth and Antoine Griezmann.

Possible Atletico XI: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Sorloth

3. Federico Chiesa is NOT eligible

Although Federico Chiesa has come off the bench in every Premier League game so far, he cannot be included after being left out of Liverpool’s squad for the league phase.

Slot instead opted for Rio Ngumoha to take a non-homegrown spot in his 22-man squad, which allows the Dutchman to choose from the following against Atletico:

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvilli, Woodman

Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Leoni, Bradley, Kerkez, Robertson, Frimpong

Midfielders: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gravenberch, Endo, Jones

Forwards: Isak, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha

Notable youth who don’t need listing: Danns, Nyoni, Bajcetic*, Nallo, Morrison, Kone-Doherty

* Injured

4. Atletico have 1 win in 4

Atletico only recorded their first win of the season on Saturday, a 2-0 win over Villarreal after two successive 1-1 draws and a defeat to Espanyol on the opening day of the season.

It puts Simeone’s side in 11th after four games, seven points behind current leaders Real Madrid.

Liverpool ought to know better than to underestimate Atletico, however, as Simeone instils a fighting spirit that he leads enthusiastically from the touchline.

They have proved frustrating opponents in the past, but hopefully Liverpool find a breakthrough quicker than they did over the weekend.

5. Predicted Liverpool lineup

With Slot hinting at a possible start for his new No. 9, there is reason to suggest the Swede could take Hugo Ekitike‘s place in the XI in one of three changes.

Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson could also come into the side, which would result in Dominik Szoboszlai moving back into midfield after consecutive starts at right-back.

There is room for further rotation, but this lineup at least affords Mac Allister more rest after finding himself in the wars again.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo, Isak

6. Possible Diogo Jota tribute

A tribute could be in the works for Diogo Jota as two of his former clubs face one another.

Jota signed for the Spanish side in 2016 from Porto, and while he did not play a competitive match for Atletico, he made his mark, just as he did in every step of his career and short life.

At the time of writing, there is no official word on what the tribute may be, but reports in Spain say the two clubs are in talks.

7. Virgil van Dijk: Isak is a “complete striker”

Speaking to the media, Virgil van Dijk was never going to escape questions about Alexander Isak, and the captain offered his first impression and the need to forget about his price tag:

“Off the pitch as well, we have conversations. I spoke to him during the international break when everything was sorted.

“For him it’s about getting as fit as possible as quickly as possible, get to understand each one of us as quickly as possible; how we train, how we press, set-pieces.

“It’s been a good week for him and let’s see tomorrow.

“He comes with the price tag, and the price tag we have no control over.

“So I totally understand from the outside world there will always be talks about that, and that creates sort of pressure, but it’s down to him – and obviously with us – that we don’t speak about those kinds of things.”

8. 4 possible Champions League debuts

Liverpool could have four players make their debut in the Champions League should Slot turn to them at any point in the evening.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez, Giovanni Leoni and Ngumoha have never played in the competition before and could be in contention to end their wait if Slot opts to rotate or turn to them off the bench.

9. Referee: Maurizio Mariani

Maurizio Mariani (Italy) is in charge of this fixture, and it is the first time he has overseen Liverpool or Atletico.

He has awarded eight penalties in his last 16 European appointments and 21 in his last 71 games across all competitions.

It is an Italian contingent overseeing the match on the touchline and in the VAR room – surely they can’t be worse than what’s on offer in the Premier League, right?

10. How to follow the match with TIA!

Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK, coverage starts at 7pm ahead of the 8pm kickoff.

As ever, This Is Anfield’s liveblog will be up and running, with Harry McMullen keeping you entertained and up to date from 7.15pm.

Into these, Reds!