Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola played down injury worries over new signing Bradley Barcola after he was forced off in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.
The France international impressed on his full debut for the club following his late move from Paris St Germain in a £123m deal and with better finishing could have had a hat-trick.
He went off on the hour holding his left calf to spark fears of an issue, especially as before his substitute appearance at Ipswich on Friday he had not played since the World Cup third-place play-off, but Iraola was not too worried.
“It’s just cramp, there is no injury. With Bradley, it’s about building his physical condition,” said the Basque, who marked his Champions League managerial debut with a win.
“We don’t really know, or we didn’t know until now probably, how much he can play, because he hasn’t had any minutes in pre-season for PSG.
“He played 30 the other day. Today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us, and probably now we know.
“And I’m very happy because also he has had two very clear chances against the keeper. He hasn’t scored, but I want him there.“That is where he has to make the difference – arriving to those spots, those positions.”
Follow all of the latest from the clash with our live blog below:
Read MoreMac Allister winner answers contract questions but worrying Liverpool trend emerges
Champions League: Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
- REPORT: Mac Allister winner answers contract questions but worrying Liverpool trend emerges
- '50 GOAL! Mac Allister curls in stunner to put Reds in front [LIV 2-1 ATM]
- '40 GOAL! Szoboszlai equalises from Araujo backheel [LIV 1-1 ATM]
- '17 GOAL! Llorente scores fifth goal in three games against Liverpool at Anfield [LIV 0-1 ATM]
- Bradley Barcola comes off with cramp on first Reds start since £125m move from PSG
Mac Allister winner answers contract questions but worrying Liverpool trend emerges
Wednesday 9 September 2026 22:10 , Flo CliffordThe Reds began their quest for a seventh European title with a comeback win over Diego Simeone’s side but this was a frenetic and flawed performance, writes Richard Jolly from Anfield:
Mac Allister winner answers contract questions but worrying Liverpool trend emerges
Goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister tells TNT Sports:
Wednesday 9 September 2026 23:00 , Flo Clifford"Before the game we spoke about the beginning of the first half and second half. I liked the mentality. I think we showed desire today. We got the fans behind us and that's really important when you play at Anfield. A positive step for us."
The million-dollar question, will his goal improve his chances of a new contract? The reply is diplomatic: "I don't know - we will see."
Goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister tells TNT Sports:
Wednesday 9 September 2026 22:48 , Flo CliffordIt was a good comeback. I think the first half was really good. We conceded a goal because we were not ready, and we did not defend well, other than it was a good first half.
"The beginning of the second half was really good. Overall, it was a good performance. Now we have to think about the next one.”
Andoni Iraola tells TNT Sports:
Wednesday 9 September 2026 22:42 , Flo Clifford"I loved it - the atmosphere has been incredible and I feel lucky to experience it. I think I have to take blame from the beginning because they surprised me a little bit tactically they played a five at the back - a 5-3-2.
“We expected something different and waited to correct it. After half-time, we had a much better game, we pressed better, and I think we have been a better team."
Andoni Iraola tells TNT Sports:
Wednesday 9 September 2026 22:35 , Flo Clifford“I was enjoying it. They're a very good team. Technically, in the middle, lovely players. It is not easy to press those players as they have quality.
"They have been playing together forever. We find another comeback after Forest, after Newcastle. We still have this thing to improve in the beginning of the games, but I am happy as we have shown some character.
"This is the Champions League, you don't have easy games."
Andoni Iraola confirms precautionary Barcola substitution
Wednesday 9 September 2026 22:28 , Flo Clifford"It was just cramps, especially with Bradley [Barcola]. We are rushing him but we decided today to ask him to give everything he had."
Andoni Iraola tells TNT Sports:
Wednesday 9 September 2026 22:21 , Flo Clifford"Difficult to ask for more. We showed character. I loved the second half. I feel lucky to experience this atmosphere. I have to take the blame [for first half]. Tactically they surprised me. Difficult to change it live. After the break we pressed better and were the better team."
Dominik Szoboszlai tells TNT Sports:
Wednesday 9 September 2026 22:15 , Flo Clifford"Very happy to be back. These nights are always special. After a setback, we came back in a good game.
"Happy for the result, happy to score my goal finally again. It was ups and downs all the time - they have a good team. I think we have a good team as well. We gave everything that we had."
"I love playing every competition, especially with the jersey on me. I hope we keep on going, and we can do something special this year."
FULL-TIME: Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:58 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldAll's well that ends well for Liverpool. Atleti were better in the first half but Liverpool were deserving winners by the end. What a winner from Mac Allister.
FULL-TIME: Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:54 , Flo CliffordIraola’s first win in the Champions League as a manager!
Liverpool come from behind to win, yet again.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:53 , Flo Clifford‘90+4: Liverpool are nice and compact now as Atletico push for an equaliser. One minute to go.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:49 , Flo Clifford‘90: Five minutes left for Liverpool to ride this out.
OFFSIDE! Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:48 , Flo Clifford‘89: The offside flag cuts short Liverpool’s celebrations! Munoz darts away and cuts back inside sharpish, lays it off for Frimpong, who slots home, but the flag goes up quickly.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:47 , Flo Clifford‘88: Liverpool changes now. Isak and Kerkez are off, youngster Koumas and Tsimikas are on.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:46 , Flo Clifford‘86: Lookman whips in an effort but Araujo sticks out a leg to block... Atletico are threatening now and Liverpool are looking a bit leggy.
Atletico recycle a corner and Pubill sends a tame effort dribbling wide.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:40 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldIt does feel as though Liverpool's running power has been a bit too much for Atletico in this second half. But maybe that is speaking too soon and the high calibre of subs Simeone has been able to bring on will make a difference.
CHANCE! Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:39 , Flo Clifford‘80: Isak cuts in and lets fly a powerful left-footed shot but Le Normand makes a crucial block.
Szoboszlai whips in a cross but it flies long.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:37 , Flo Clifford‘78: Pubill does well in defence as Szoboszlai’s delivery looks for van Dijk. The Hungarian takes the resulting corner... Le Normand heads it clear.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:36 , Flo Clifford‘77: Atletico changes again: Hjulmand and Le Normand are on, and the former’s first action is to concede a free-kick for a chunky challenge on Gravenberch. Romero and Barrios are off.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:32 , Flo Clifford‘73: Atletico win a free-kick in a very strong central position after Gravenberch handles. Gleeful jeers as Simeone the younger has an attempt way off target.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:28 , Flo Clifford‘69: Alvarez hits a tame effort straight at Alisson after Grimaldo does well to hold up the ball under pressure from Munoz.
Iraola makes that change, and Mac Allister is warmly applauded off.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:27 , Flo Clifford‘68: Giuliano Simeone gestures to the referee for a yellow card, and is lucky not to get one himself.
Gravenberch is preparing to come on for goalscorer Mac Allister, who is on a booking.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:24 , Flo Clifford‘64: Szoboszlai delivers a corner but Araujo’s header is off target. Now Atletico are appealing for a penalty, for some reason. Nothing doing.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:22 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldBarcola off after a decent first start, even if it did revive concerns about his finishing. This is the first time Frimpong has played on the right wing under Iraola, so it is interesting to see how he gets on.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:19 , Flo Clifford‘60: Changes for both sides. Grimaldo and Lookman are on for Koke and Lee, Munoz and Frimpong for Barcola, who is applauded warmly as he gingerly steps off the pitch, and Ngumoha.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:17 , Flo Clifford‘58: Barcola has gone down without any contact and looks to have hurt his calf. The medics are on. This is a bit worrying.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:13 , Richard JollyAlexis Mac Allister was very sad, he said, that Liverpool have not offered him a new contract. He made Anfield very happy there. That was a terrific goal.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:12 , Flo Clifford‘53: Ngumoha goes sprawling to the turf and Pubill is booked for the foul. Liverpool have a free-kick on the far left which falls to Araujo but is dealt with.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:09 , Flo Clifford‘50: Swiftly forgotten as Liverpool are ahead!
The ball ricochets around the box and Mac Allister blasts an absolute rocket, curling into the back of the net!
WIDE! Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:08 , Flo Clifford‘49: Oh my word, what a missed opportunity! Wirtz chests down the ball and launches a lightning-quick counter. He lays it off for Barcola, through on goal, everyone in the stadium thinks it’s going in but it’s wide!!!
Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:07 , Richard JollyOne reason to think Atleti could be the likelier winners today is to look at the two benches. Apart from Victor Munoz and Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool don't have a lot in reserve.
Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:07 , Flo Clifford‘47: Liverpool work a short corner to Mac Allister, who lofts in the ball... Araujo makes contact but his header is wide!
SECOND HALF: Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 21:04 , Flo CliffordNo changes at the restart. More of the same, please!
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:53 , Flo CliffordBoos for the officials; the refereeing has certainly been inconsistent.
It’s all square at the break.
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:49 , Flo Clifford‘45+1: One minute added on. Atletico counter, it goes behind for a corner... offside flag, so in fact it will be a Liverpool kick.
That’s it for this half!
Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:48 , Flo Clifford‘44: Late drama. Romero treads on Isak’s toe and that looks a painful one; he goes off briefly, now Szoboszlai bundles over Lee and the Atletico player flings himself to the ground clutching his face, for some reason. The Kop, obviously, doesn’t rate that at all.
Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:46 , Richard JollyDominik Szoboszlai was Liverpool's outstanding player in the Champions League last season, with five goals and four assists, so perhaps it is fitting he gets their first goal of this season in Europe.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:43 , Flo Clifford‘40: Liverpool are back in this! The ball is lofted in, Barcola is denied by Oblak, it pinballs around, Araujo nutmegs Romero with a delightful flick to set up Szoboszlai and he slots home!
Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:41 , Flo Clifford‘38: Ngumoha makes a shot but is blocked; now Liverpool have a corner but it’s hoofed away by Barrios.
It’s been an entertaining if rather messy half.
Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:38 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldLiverpool are struggling defensively with the runs of Atleti's wing-backs, and runners in behind more generally, which is compounded by a lack of pressure on the ball in midfield. Plus the high defensive line has been exposed. Apart from that, though, it is going well.
Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:37 , Flo Clifford‘34: The flag went up for that Wirtz volley anyway. Simeone is displeased as Van Dijk brings down Lee but nothing is given.
SAVE! Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:33 , Flo Clifford‘30: Barcola makes a lovely run, lays it off for Isak, and the Swede floats a beautifully weighted pass to Wirtz at the back post, who volleys towards the keeper - amazing save to punch away! That’s a great move by Liverpool, though.
Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:32 , Flo Clifford‘29: Hold on a minute, Mac Allister is being checked for a potential red card for a late challenge on Lee... the studs are on his ankle, but it’s checked and cleared. Mac Allister gets a yellow.
SAVE! Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:30 , Flo Clifford‘27: Liverpool are carved open again. another defence-splitting pass finds Alvarez, but Alisson dives perfectly to palm his curling shot away! Great save but massive red flags for Liverpool.
Now Simeone has another shot on the edge of the box but it’s blocked.
Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:27 , Flo Clifford‘24: Szoboszlai takes a corner which is recycled back out to him... he whips it in and Oblak is alive to the danger.
Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:25 , Flo Clifford‘22: After being stunned into silence Anfield is back at full volume as Wirtz is brought down just on the edge of the area, but the referee sees nothing in that.
Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:22 , Richard Jolly‘19: Marcos Llorente has a dog named Anfield after his 2020 goals here. And now a man who always scores at Anfield has another.
GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:20 , Flo Clifford‘17: Llorente scores his fifth goal at Anfield for Atletico Madrid!
But it’s so poor from Liverpool, acres of space left in the middle of the park and there’s no-one to deal with the danger. Kerkez fails to stay with his man, Atletico play a line-splitting pass to Llorente, who times his run excellently and finishes cleanly past Alisson.
Liverpool 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:18 , Flo Clifford‘15: Lee dummies a ball into the box and Baena launches a very speculative attempt high. Mac Allister and Szoboszlai now combine in the box but the Hungarian is crowded out...
Liverpool counter again and Barcola sprints down the right channel, but the ball into his path is at a very tight angle and Oblak closes him down.
Liverpool 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:15 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldIt's Andoni Iraola's first Champions League game as a manager. It is Diego Simeone's 129th. And he has been dressed like an extra from Goodfellas in all 129.
Liverpool 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:14 , Flo Clifford‘12: Wirtz wins the corner, plays it short... Szoboszlai is brought down by Romero in the box and there are screams for a penalty! Atletico counter and there’s discussion of an earlier foul in the build-up... play continues, however.
Liverpool 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:12 , Flo Clifford‘8: Simeone (the younger) lays the ball off to Alvarez but his low strike falls kindly for Alisson; now Isak has a run but it takes a deflection on its way to him and Oblak dives gratefully onto it. Easy for the keeper.
Liverpool 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:07 , Flo Clifford‘5: Liverpool are looking lively here. Wirtz and Isak play a one-two in the box but get crowded out before Mac Allister hits it with power but not a lot of precision, and the flag goes up for offside anyway.
Liverpool 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:05 , Richard Jolly at Anfield‘3: One question is answered with Barcola on the right wing at the very start, in Mohamed Salah's old role.
WIDE! Liverpool 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:03 , Flo Clifford‘1: Immediate intent shown by Liverpool as Szoboszlai steals the ball in midfield, drives up the park and lays it off for Isak, who whistles wide.
KICK-OFF: Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:03 , Flo CliffordAway we go at Anfield!
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 20:01 , Flo CliffordBefore kick-off a moment of silence is held in memory of the victims of the horrific flooding disaster in Nepal.
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:59 , Flo CliffordThe teams are out on the pitch, the Champions League anthem drowned out by boos...
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:56 , Richard JollyThese two teams met at the same stage last season and it got off to an explosive start as Liverpool were 2-0 up after six minutes. But it was tighter at the end of the night - Liverpool needing an injury-time goal from Virgil van Dijk to win - and Atletico actually went further in the competition, reaching the semi-finals.
Team news reminder
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:53 , Flo CliffordLiverpool XI: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Barcola, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Isak
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Llorente, Hancko, Romero, Pubil, Barios, Koke, Simeone, Baena, Alvarez, Lee
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:48 , Flo Clifford
Tonight's fixtures
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:42 , Flo CliffordElsewhere on a big night of Champions League action, Arsenal are away at Napoli; Sporting CP host Galatasaray, and PSG are at home to Slovan Bratislava.
You can follow live updates of Arsenal’s opener here.
Pre-match reading: PSG’s big Champions League advantage is also its biggest problem
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:36 , Flo CliffordMiguel Delaney posits that the insignificance of the Champions League’s league phase, as illustrated by PSG winning the title after finishing 15th and 11th in the group, reduces the top tier of European football to more ‘wallpaper’ content
PSG’s big Champions League advantage is also its biggest problem
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:28 , Flo Clifford
Liverpool spent £670m under Richard Hughes and only got worse
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:22 , Flo CliffordIt’s all change at Anfield with sporting director Richard Hughes departing. He won the Premier League with Arne Slot but his task of rebuilding Jurgen Klopp’s old team remains unfinished despite spending two-thirds of a billion, writes Richard Jolly:
Liverpool spent £670m under Richard Hughes and only got worse
If Alexis Mac Allister wants a new contract at Liverpool, he’s got to earn it
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:14 , Flo CliffordLiverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister made a splash when he spoke about how the club’s silence on a potential new deal made him “very sad”.
Richard Jolly will be keeping tabs on his performance at Anfield tonight and notes that the 29-year-old’s form last year scarcely merited one:
If Alexis Mac Allister wants a new contract at Liverpool, he’s got to earn it
How did Liverpool's transfer window fare?
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:07 , Flo CliffordIns: Bradley Barcola (£123m), Jeremy Jacquet (£55m), Victor Munoz (£34.5m), Lucca Brughmans (£30m), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (undisclosed fee), Ronald Araujo (loan), Samuel Martinez (joining in 2027)
Outs: Curtis Jones (£25.7m), Stefan Bajcetic (undisclosed fee), Calvin Ramsay (loan), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (loan), Kieran Morrison (loan), Calum Scanlon (loan), Mohamed Salah (free), Amara Nallo (loan), Armin Pecsi (loan), Luca Stephenson (undisclosed fee), Carter Pinnington (undisclosed fee), Ibrahima Konate (free), Andy Robertson (free), DJ Bernard (free), Rhys Williams (released), Lucca Brughmans (loan), Harvey Elliott (loan), Keyrel Figueroa (loan)
Verdict: The long-awaited signing of Bradley Barcola brings an injection of excitement into Liverpool’s window but, as so adeptly described by my colleague Adam Clery in his latest YouTube video, it’s a bit like buying a Ferrari while your house is burning to the ground. The Reds remain conspicuously short in defensive midfield and at right-back, though they did strengthen in central defence with Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo. Victor Munoz looks a strong wing option further forward – but it is somewhat questionable that they’ve not brought in a left-footed wide option to replace Mohamed Salah. - Kieran Jackson
Grade: B
Team news
Wednesday 9 September 2026 19:00 , Flo CliffordIraola makes two changes for Liverpool: as mentioned Bradley Barcola makes his full debut with Rio Ngumoha joining him in the starting XI.
Victor Munoz drops to the bench and Cody Gakpo, who missed training yesterday as a precaution, is not included in the squad at all.
Bradley Barcola makes first start
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:55 , Richard Jolly at AnfieldBradley Barcola makes his first Liverpool start, meaning they will field three £100m men in the same side, along with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
Andoni Iraola has made a double change on the flanks, with Rio Ngumoha also coming in, so it will be interesting to see whether he or Barcola is on the right.
For Atletico, it is notable that Julian Alvarez makes his first start of the season, and after a summer when he has tried to join Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid team news
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:50 , Flo CliffordAtletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Llorente, Hancko, Romero, Pubil, Barios, Koke, Simeone, Baena, Alvarez, Lee
XI 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/WfNR8m3hTZ
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 9, 2026
Liverpool team news
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:47 , Flo CliffordLiverpool XI: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Aliister, Szoboszlai, Barcola, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Isak
Ready for #UCL action 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/XyOupLwsRe
Team news incoming
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:41 , Flo CliffordWe’ll have team news shortly... in the mean time, in the earlier fixtures today, Stuttgart are 3-1 up against Viking at half-time and Barcelona lead Feyenoord 2-0.
Bradley Barcola in line for first Liverpool start?
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:37 , Flo CliffordFrench forward Bradley Barcola arrived on a five-year deal for an initial fee of £106m, which could rise to £123m.
The 23-year-old had been a Liverpool target throughout this summer, and desired a move to Merseyside even while attracting interest from other clubs.
Barcola continues Liverpool’s heavy investment over the past two years, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz brought in for more than £100m last summer.
Capped 28 times by France, Barcola was part of the PSG side that won back-to-back Champions League crowns in 2025 and 2026, featuring off the bench in both finals.
Last time out: Alexander Isak has lift-off in a Reds shirt
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:29 , Flo CliffordThree minutes: is that all it takes to kickstart a career? For all the pre-match talk and excitement surrounding Liverpool’s star signing of the summer in Bradley Barcola, Friday night under the Suffolk lights was finally time for the joint-most expensive purchase in English football history to make his first significant mark in Merseyside red. It’s only taken him 12 months.
What a morale-boosting evening this was for Alexander Isak at Portman Road. Loitering tantalisingly on the shoulder of a beleaguered Ipswich defence, the Sweden international notched two goals in three first-half minutes here – his first brace for Liverpool and just his fifth and sixth Premier League goals since that £125m move from Newcastle – to set Andoni Iraola on his way to a comfortable first Premier League victory in the Reds dugout.
Kieran Jackson reported from Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Ipswich:
Gakpo proves his worth again to Liverpool – but where does Iraola play him now?
Alexis Mac Allister reveals Liverpool contract snub: ‘It made me very, very sad’
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:20 , Flo CliffordAlexis Mac Allister revealed Liverpool made him sad when they told him they were not in a position to offer him a new deal and said he had options to leave Anfield in the summer.
The Argentina midfielder, a £35m signing from Brighton in 2023, has entered the last two years of his current contract.
But whereas Liverpool spent over £200m on new signings Bradley Barcola, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz and gave his fellow midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai a new five-year deal, they informed Mac Allister there was no offer to him.
Mac Allister was a target for other clubs in the transfer window, including Wednesday’s opponents Atletico Madrid, and admitted he might have gone. “There was a chance,” he said.
Alexis Mac Allister reveals Liverpool contract snub: ‘It made me very, very sad’
Predicted line-ups
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:11 , Flo CliffordLiverpool XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Romero, Grimaldo; Koke, Hjulmand; Simeone, Baena, Lookman; David
Early Atletico team news
Wednesday 9 September 2026 18:05 , Flo CliffordAtletico will be missing Alexander Sorloth due to a thigh injury while Arnau Ortiz misses out through suspension. All eyes will be on Julian Alvarez, who wanted a move away from the club in the summer and came on as a substitute against Athletic Bilbao.
Early Liverpool team news
Wednesday 9 September 2026 17:58 , Flo CliffordLiverpool will definitely be without long-term injury absentees Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, while Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo were left out of the Champions League squad.
Big-money signing Bradley Barcola could be in line for his first start, particularly as Cody Gakpo sat out training on Monday. Joe Gomez is a doubt with a muscle issue but did train.
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 17:53 , Flo CliffordLiverpool begin their Champions League campaign at home to Atletico Madrid as Andoni Iraola gets his first taste of European football under the lights at Anfield.
Back-to-back 2-2 draws - in which they came from behind in both - were followed by a first win under Iraola against Ipswich, with last summer’s £125m signing Alexander Isak finally getting lift-off in a Reds shirt with a quickfire brace.
Now Iraola turns his attention to a first Champions League game as a manager and a meeting with Diego Simeone, who was left lamenting his side’s leaky defence after a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga this past weekend.
Liverpool and Atletico faced off at Anfield in the opening match of last year’s European campaign too, with Virgil van Dijk sealing a 3-2 victory in the 92nd minute and Simeone getting sent off for clashing with fans in the main stand.
How to watch
Wednesday 9 September 2026 17:50 , Flo CliffordLiverpool play Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday 9 September, with kick-off at 8pm BST.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 9 September 2026 17:45 , Flo CliffordGood evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Liverpool v Atletico Madrid.
The Reds get their Champions League campaign underway at home - will it be another topsy-turvy encounter like last season’s 3-2 win at the same stage, or can Andoni Iraola’s side build on a morale-boosting win in their most recent Premier League game?
