Iraola: Atletico test a gauge of Liverpool's level

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Andono Iraola: Atletico Madrid test in Champions League a gauge of Liverpool's current level Updated / Tuesday, 8 Sep 2026 15:57 Getty Andoni Iraola is relishing being in the dugout for a Champions League night at Anfield Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola believes his managerial Champions League debut at home to Atletico Madrid will provide a good indication of the level his side are at. Liverpool faced Atletico at home in last season’s Champions League opener, registering their third successive victory over Diego Simeone’s side – Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time goal securing the win after the Reds had relinquished a 2-0 lead.

"It’s a massive test for the team overall and I think it will show us a little bit also where we are." Virgil van Dijk's winning goal when the sides met in the Champions League last September This is the start of a period in which Iraola will have to find a way to balance the demands of three matches a week, which was less of a requirement at former club Bournemouth. "I don’t want my players to think we have to save energy as we have a hard game in three days or they have to play 90 minutes.

"If I have to choose, I prefer they are not with a calculator thinking, 'We have to play in three days’. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app Watch Manchester United v Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.