Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid confirmed line-up analysis: Bradley Barcola's impact and tactical choices dissected
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Liverpool have confirmed their starting XI for tonight’s Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid at Anfield. The Reds are preparing for their first Champions League game of the campaign, with Iraola selecting his team for his first-ever match in the competition as Liverpool manager.
Liverpool XI: GK: Alisson DEF: Milos Kerkez, Virgil Van Dijk (C), Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araújo MID: Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz ATT: Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak, Rio NgumohaSubs: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, Kostas Tsimikas, Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas, Victor Muñoz, Jayden DannsReady for #UCL action 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/XyOupLwsRe— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 9, 2026Iraola's key selection calls Barcola starts for the first time since his summer move to Anfield Gravenberch is left out of the starting XI once more, continuing his run on the bench as Iraola opts for Mac AllisterAraújo is selected ahead of Jeremy Frimpong at right-back for a second successive game.Who’s missing?Cody Gakpo is not in the matchday squad after his absence from Liverpool training, replaced by Rio Ngumoha who pips Victor Munoz for the right-wing spot.Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined as they have been for the opening three Premier League fixtures, whilst Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa also miss out after failing to make Liverpool's Champions League squad.Atletico Madrid XI:Diego Simeone's side arrive at Anfield still smarting from a 3-0 mauling at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, their first defeat of the season. With a rich history against Liverpool, players like Koke and Marcos Llorente will have extra motivation to put things right on Merseyside tonight.GK: Jan Oblak DEF: , David Hancko, Cristian Romero, Marc Pubill, Marcos Llorente MID: Alex Baena, Pablo Barrios, Koke (C) , Giuliano Simeone ATT: Kang-in Lee, Julian AlvarezSubs: Juan Musso, Robin Le Normand, Dani Martinez, Jorge Dominguez, Obed Vargas, Rodrigo Mendoza, Johnny Cardoso, Alejandro Grimaldo, Morten Hjulmand, Jorge Castillo, Ademola Lookman, Jonathan DavidAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow