Two familiar foes collide on Merseyside as Liverpool welcome Atlético Madrid to Anfield in one of the standout clashes of the opening week of the Champions League group stage.
The Reds kept their flawless Premier League start intact at the weekend, edging Burnley 1-0 thanks to Mohamed Salah’s nerveless late penalty. Arne Slot’s side had to dig deep at Turf Moor, but the result preserved their 100% domestic record heading into European duty.
Atlético, meanwhile, arrive buoyed by a 2-0 triumph over Villarreal in LaLiga, though Diego Simeone’s men have not quite hit their stride in the early weeks of the campaign. The Spanish giants will need something out of the ordinary if they are to silence Anfield and trouble a Liverpool outfit brimming with confidence.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Champions League match in the UK:
TV channel: TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate
Live stream: Amazon Prime Video (via discovery+)
This game is available for live TV broadcast on TNT Sports 1 in the UK. Streaming options are available on Amazon Prime Video (via discovery+).
TNT Sports is available on discovery+, but unlike many other broadcasters, it isn’t tied down to just one streaming platform. Instead, users can access TNT through several providers, including Amazon Prime Video, where existing customers can purchase the discovery+ add-on.
What time does Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid kick off?
This Champions League clash takes place at Anfield in Liverpool, England, and kicks off on Wednesday, September 17 at 8:00 p.m. (BST) local time.
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid lineups, team news
Supporters who had hoped to see Alexander Isak make his Liverpool bow at Burnley were left disappointed, but Slot has since confirmed that the club’s £125m summer signing will be included in the squad for Wednesday. A place in the starting XI, however, looks improbable.
The same applies to Alexis Mac Allister, who was withdrawn at half-time against Burnley after a heavy challenge, with the Argentine’s minutes carefully managed.
Curtis Jones remains unavailable, which could see Dominik Szoboszlai revert from his makeshift right-back role into midfield, freeing Jeremie Frimpong to return to the defense. Federico Chiesa, notably, has been omitted from the Reds’ European squad.
Liverpool predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Gravenberch, Szoboszlai — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo — Ekitike.
Injured: Isak (doubt), Mac Allister (ankle), Jones (knock), Bajcetic (hamsting).
Suspended: N/A
Simeone’s selection headache deepened in their Villarreal victory, when Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo de Paul Gonzalez, Robin Le Normand, and David Hancko all limped off. Hancko’s ankle issue appears the most concerning, while the other trio are hopeful of recovering from fatigue-related problems in time for midweek. Still, their involvement hangs in the balance.
Atletico are already without Jose Gimenez and Thiago Almada (both calf injuries), as well as Alex Baena (adductor). Should Gonzalez fail to recover, Conor Gallagher is expected to slot into the left side of Simeone’s familiar 4-4-2.
Atletico Madrid predicted starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): Oblak (GK) — Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri — Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Gallagher — Griezmann, Sorloth.
Injured: Baena (muscle), Hancko (sprained ankle), Gimenez (muscle), Alvarez (knee), Gonzalez (muscle), Le Normand (back), Almada (doubt).
Suspended: N/A
For what is set to be an intriguing encounter as Liverpool seek to make it five successive victories across all competitions, you can read the TSN prediction here.
Champions League fixture schedule this week
All times are in BST
Tuesday, September 16
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Union SG (5:45 p.m.)
- Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal (5:45 p.m.)
- Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund (8:00 p.m.)
- Benfica vs. Qarabağ FK (8:00 p.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Marseille (8:00 p.m.)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Villarreal (8:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, September 17
- Slavia Prague vs. FK Bodø/Glimt (5:45 p.m.)
- Olympiacos vs. Pafos FC (5:45 p.m.)
- Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid (8:00 p.m.)
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atalanta (8:00 p.m.)
- Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea (8:00 p.m.)
- Ajax Amsterdam vs. Inter Milan (8:00 p.m.)
Thursday, September 18
- Club Brugge vs. AS Monaco (5:45 p.m.)
- FC Copenhagen vs. Bayer Leverkusen (5:45 p.m.)
- Newcastle United vs. Barcelona (8:00 p.m.)
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray (8:00 p.m.)
- Manchester City vs. Napoli (8:00 p.m.)
- Sporting CP vs. Kairat (8:00 p.m.)
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