ANFIELD hosts a Champions League heavyweight on Wednesday as Liverpool open their campaign fresh off a first win of the season. Atletico Madrid arrive having just suffered their first defeat, thumped 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao.

Liverpool beat Ipswich Town 2-0 on Friday, Alexander Isak scoring twice inside the opening nine minutes with both assisted by Cody Gakpo. Bradley Barcola made his debut off the bench after a £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain, adding pace once introduced.

It was Andoni Iraola‘s first win since taking charge, following back-to-back 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

Atletico Madrid were beaten 3-0 at Athletic Club on Friday, with Nico Williams, Robert Navarro and Oihan Sancet all scoring inside a chaotic second-half collapse.

Alejandro Grimaldo struggled throughout at left-back, with Atletico having sold both back-up options in the position over the summer. Diego Simeone‘s side had been unbeaten in their first four matches before that result.

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The betting angle: Can Atletico’s makeshift left side survive another examination?

Liverpool’s front line looked genuinely dangerous against Ipswich, with Florian Wirtz pulling strings between the lines and Gakpo pushed centrally to devastating early effect. With Barcola now fit enough to start or finish games, Iraola has four attacking options for three positions, and Anfield has never lost its first Champions League match of a campaign at home.

Atletico’s issue is structural. Grimaldo is now the only recognised left-back in the squad after Matteo Ruggeri and Julio Diaz were both sold, and all three Bilbao goals exploited that flank directly. Liverpool have won each of their last three Champions League meetings with Atletico, including 3-2 at Anfield last season.

Both sides carry goals threat, but Atletico’s defensive record away from home in this competition has been shaky, and Liverpool’s front three should find joy down the same side that Bilbao exposed.

Expect Liverpool’s early intensity to punish a side still searching for defensive balance, with goals at both ends likely before the visitors’ quality asserts itself late on.

  • Our tip: Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score
  • The longshot: Liverpool to win 3-1 & Alexander Isak to score anytime

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📺 How to watch Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid

  • Date: Wednesday, 9th September, 2026
  • Kick-off: 8:00pm BST
  • Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
  • TV Channel: TNT Sports 1
  • Highlights: TNT Sports app, YouTube

Read more of our 2026/27 football season tips and predictions

About the author

Craig Mahood

Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun.

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