How Atletico Madrid have started the season and who are their danger men in the Champions League against Liverpool
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Liverpool have something of a chequered past against Wednesday’s Champions League opponents Atletico Madrid, but head into the game hoping for a fourth consecutive win over Diego Simeone’s team.The Reds will know exactly what to expect from Simeone and his players, who have become a byword for old-school, ‘dark arts’ style football over the past 10 years.But while that has often led to them being successful at home and on the continent, Atletico have been undergoing a bit of a shift over recent times. So, as they head to Anfield to kick off this year’s Champions League campaign, what kind of form are they in, and which players should Liverpool be watching out for?
How does Liverpool’s new-look forward line compare against the best attacks in Europe? We could see Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo together for the first time vs Atletico Madrid Photo Credit: Getty Images/Karl Bridgeman – UEFA Atletico head to Anfield on the back of a bad defeatAtletico have very much solidified their reputation as Spain’s third team since Simeone took charge in 2011, but they dropped to fourth last season, finishing below Villarreal, who Liverpool also play in this year’s Champions League group phase.The two teams have already faced each other this season, playing out a 2-2 draw at La Ceramica on the second day of the La Liga season.Atletico won matches either side of that game, beating Malaga 2-0 and Sevilla 3-1, but crashed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, to record their first loss of the season.Now sitting in sixth position, with seven points from four matches, a good start has turned into a slightly underwhelming one for Simeone as he prepares for another trip to Merseyside.READ MORE: How Liverpool’s £400m attack compares against Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich as Champions League kicks offWho are Atletico’s best players?Having seen Antoine Griezmann become the latest legend to depart during the summer, Atletico have changed a huge amount over the last few years.Liverpool fans may no longer recognise a fair few of the squad, but should be familiar with left winger Alex Baena, who was a starter for Spain’s World Cup winning team this summer.
What are your best and worst memories of Liverpool playing against Atletico Madrid? The Reds will meet Diego Simeone and co once again on Wednesday Photo Credit: Getty Images/James Gill/Danehouse Baena has hit three goals and one assist in four matches so far in 2026/27, and Liverpool will be concerned that their right-back issues could be exploited by the former Villarreal man.On the opposite wing Kang-In Lee has started well following his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, and has a goal and an assists in his first four appearances, while Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone are also dangerous forwards.Julian Alvarez was reportedly desperate to leave Atletico for Barcelona over the summer, but having been denied his move and reintegrated into the team, Liverpool will have to be wary of him at Anfield.