Liverpool team news v Atletico: Barcola makes first Reds start among 2 changes by Iraola
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September 9th 2026, 18:50 (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first Champions League game as Liverpool head coach tonight as the Reds host Atletico Madrid at Anfield.It’s a repeat of both teams’ opening fixture in the competition from last season, when Virgil van Dijk headed a stoppage-time winner for the home side, who went on to reach the quarter-finals before going down to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.LFC go into this game off the back of a morale-boosting victory at Ipswich in which Alexander Isak scored both goals inside the first 10 minutes, and this match is likely to bring an Anfield debut in red for Bradley Barcola after his substitute appearance at Portman Road last Friday.Iraola has now named his starting XI for the meeting against Diego Simeone’s side – is there a first Liverpool start for the £106m winger?(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustLiverpool starting XI to face AtleticoIraola makes two changes from the team which began the 2-0 win at Ipswich on Friday.Alisson Becker continues between the sticks, and there’s an unchanged back four of Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.After his rather candid comments yesterday about his contract situation at Liverpool, Alexis Mac Allister is retained alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield.
Florian Wirtz and Isak also keep their places.Both changes to the line-up are on the flanks, with Rio Ngumoha coming into the side and Barcola getting his first start for the Reds. Victor Munoz drops to the bench, and Cody Gakpo is ruled out altogether after he missed training on Tuesday.You can view the Liverpool starting XI and substitutes below, via @LFC on X: Ready for #UCL action 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/XyOupLwsRe — Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 9, 2026