Liverpool’s first match of the 2026-27 Champions League season pits them against a familiar foe in Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.
Andoni Iraola’s bow in club football’s biggest competition should certainly be a tough assignment, as it always is when coming up against Diego Simeone’s men.
Check out our full match preview below, and we have picked out some online betting tips based on NetBet’s latest Champions League odds.
And if multiple markets from this Anfield fixture catch your eye, remember you can combine them into one handy wager with our Bet Builder feature!
Where can I watch Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid in the UK?
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Preview
Recent results
After consecutive 2-2 draws vs Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool collected their first win under Iraola last Friday. The Reds beat Ipswich 2-0 at Portman Road courtesy of a brace from Alexander Isak.
Atletico’s start to the season has not been the best. Simeone’s side opened with a 2-0 win over Malaga, but could then only manage a 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the Wanda Metropolitano. A 3-1 victory at Sevilla was then followed by the 3-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on the weekend.
Head-to-head record
These two sides met at Anfield in last season’s League Phase, with Liverpool eventually sealing a 3-2 victory.
The Reds also won both group-stage matches in 2021-22, a 3-2 triumph in Madrid followed by a 2-0 success at home.
Prior to that, Atletico had gone four matches without defeat vs Liverpool – two draws and two knockout-stage wins, one of them the famous 3-2 victory at Anfield in early 2019!
Team news
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa are ruled out for Liverpool, while Joe Gomez is a major doubt. Marquee summer signing Bradley Barcola could make his first start for the Reds.
Alexander Sorloth is the headline absentee for Atletico, but Julian Alvarez at least returned from the cold against Bilbao on the weekend. Cristian Romero also featured from the bench at San Mames, and the centre-back could be drafted into the XI here given his Premier League experience. Jonathan David is also a forward-thinking option for Simeone, though it is likely Alexa Baena and Ademola Lookman start as a makeshift front two.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Liverpool are clear favourites for the win here at a price of 1.67. A victory for Atletico Madrid is at odds of 4.40, while the draw is 3.96.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips
Both teams to score – Yes @ 1.55
Defensively, both these teams look a little shaky right now, with just two clean sheets kept between them at the start of this season. So the BTTS market looks the way to go here, especially with each side possessing plenty of attacking weapons.
Liverpool to win and both teams to score – Yes @ 2.95
And combining BTTS with the most likely match outcome generates some pretty healthy odds. Both teams scored in each of the last four competitive games at Anfield, but the onus is on Liverpool to start turning those into wins on home soil!
Anytime goalscorer – Alexander Isak @ 2.24
Isak looks to be rediscovering his best form in front of goal after a difficult debut season in red. The Swedish striker has three goals in his last two competitive outings, with all of those strikes assisted by Cody Gakpo! Backing a forward with recent goals under his belt always feel like a wise pre-match strategy.
When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
