Liverpool prepares for Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 9:37 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
Liverpool hosts Atletico Madrid on Wednesday for the opening match of the 2026-2027 Champions League campaign. The fixture marks the European debut for head coach Andoni Iraola at Anfield. Liverpool enters the contest following a domestic win against Ipswich, while Atletico Madrid arrives as a physically challenging opponent under the management of Diego Simeone. Previous meetings between the clubs include three Liverpool victories and two for Atletico across seven prior Champions League encounters. The Liverpool squad features experienced additions in Bradley Barcola and Ronald Araujo alongside captain Virgil van Dijk to support Iraola in his first European appearance as a coach.
- •Andoni Iraola manages his first Champions League game at Anfield on Wednesday.
- •Liverpool faces Atletico Madrid in the opening match of the European campaign.
- •The teams have played seven times previously in the Champions League.
- •Liverpool squad additions include Bradley Barcola and Ronald Araujo.
- 9:37 PMYahoo Sports — Liverpool's Iraola 'lucky' after first taste of Champions League
- 5:26 PMYahoo Sports — Iraola on Atletico Madrid Challenge: “It Will Show Us a Where We Are”
- 8:06 AMYahoo Sports — Liverpool’s Champions League Kicks off with Iraola Debut “At Anfield Under the Lights”
"Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said it was difficult to ask for more from his Champions League coaching debut after the Reds came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1."It's difficult to ask for more," said Iraola, who had never previously coached in European football's top competition.
"Andoni Iraola gets his first taste of Champions League football under the lights at Anfield against Atletico Madrid.
"Andoni Iraola has never managed a side in the Champions League and gets Diego Simeone’s Atleti as his first test.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 9:37 PMLiverpool's Iraola 'lucky' after first taste of Champions League
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said it was difficult to ask for more from his Champions League coaching debut after the Reds came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1."It's difficult to ask for more," said Iraola, who had never previously coached in European football's top competition.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 5:26 PMIraola on Atletico Madrid Challenge: “It Will Show Us a Where We Are”
Andoni Iraola has never managed a side in the Champions League and gets Diego Simeone’s Atleti as his first test.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 8:06 AMLiverpool’s Champions League Kicks off with Iraola Debut “At Anfield Under the Lights”
Andoni Iraola gets his first taste of Champions League football under the lights at Anfield against Atletico Madrid.
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