Liverpool kicked off their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League campaign in their typically thrilling fashion on Wednesday, as Arne Slot’s side scored twice in the opening 6 minutes and then again in second-half stoppage time to beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 at Anfield.
MORE — UEFA Champions League table
After a slow start in the Premier League this season (by his own sustainable standards), Mohamed Salah’s fingerprints were all over both Liverpool goals. The Egyptian superstar hit a wayward free kick that pinged off the leg of Andrew Robertson, standing at the penalty spot, to wrong-foot Jan Oblak in goal. All he could do was stand still and watch the ball helplessly roll into his goal.
The second goal, which came almost exactly two minutes later, was much more art than luck as Salah darted in from the right flank and played a simple one-two with Ryan Gravenberch atop the penalty area. Gravenberch gave the ball back just as Salah surged in behind Atleti’s defense and he coolly stroked it home with his left foot.
Things got a little more interesting right before halftime when Marcos Llorente, who famously scored twice in extra time (at Anfield) to lead Atletico Madrid past Liverpool in the round of 16 back in 2020, poked a clever finish past Alisson in stoppage time. Much to Liverpool’s chagrin, history all but repeated itself in the 80th minute. A looping ball made its way to Llorente, who started the night at right back, just outside the box and he uncorked a side-volley that that found the back of the net (with some help from a deflection off Alexis Mac Allister) and left the once-deafening ground eerily quiet
Liverpool had the next five shots following Llorente’s equalizer, the last of which came off captain Virgil van Dijk’s head after Dominik Szoboszlai whipped a corner kick into the box. Van Dijk soared into the Merseyside sky and thumped the ball into the bottom corner.
Alexander Isak starts, makes Liverpool debut
Liverpool’s brand new $176-million man didn’t get on the scoresheet, but Isak had a few bright moments where he looked to run at defenders (particularly from the left) and combine with his new teammates in the painfully tight spaces that Atleti’s defense allows. Isak played 58 minutes, took two shots and put one on target.
What’s next?
- Liverpool vs Everton — Saturday, 7:30 am ET
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool — Tuesday, Sept. 30, 3 pm ET (next UCL fixture)
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid live updates - by Andy Edwards
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid final score: 3-2
Goalscorers: Andrew Robertson (4'), Mohamed Salah (6'), Marcos Llorente (45'+3, 81'), Virgil van Dijk (90'+2)
GOAL! Liverpool 3-2 Atleti: Van Dijk’s thundering header wins it at the end (90'+2)
IT'S VIRGIL VAN DIJK'S TURN TO WIN THE GAME LATE FOR LIVERPOOL 😤💥 pic.twitter.com/Hv2GULICKC
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2025
GOAL! Liverpool 2-2 Atleti: Llorente does it to Liverpool AGAIN (81')
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE AT ANFIELD FOR MARCOS LLORENTE ⚡
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2025
He levels it for Atlético Madrid with his second #UCL brace against Liverpool! pic.twitter.com/OCBHRJczDY
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Atleti: Llorente pokes home a lifeline (45'+3)
Marcos Llorente LOVES scoring at Anfield 😍 pic.twitter.com/dLyTYbuMx2
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2025
ANOTHER GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Atleti: Salah gets his on a one-two with Gravenberch (6')
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Atleti: Salah’s free kick takes a wicked deflection off Robertson (4')
LIGHTNING QUICK START FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS ⚡
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2025
Liverpool are TWO goals up against Atlético Madrid in under 6 minutes! pic.twitter.com/47Y143UnWD
KICKOFF! Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid underway at Anfield
As good as Liverpool have been through four games in the Premier League (all wins), Arne Slot’s side has been far from perfect and will need to go to another level to break down what is already an extremely compact Atleti defense.
Alexander Isak in the XI, set to make his Liverpool debut
Everyone surely expected Isak to be available and make his Reds debut tonight, but it’s a bit surprising to see him in the starting lineup. Not only does he need to get up to full fitness after playing just 18 minutes (for Sweden) since last season ended in May, but another summer signing, Hugo Ekitike, has started his Liverpool career quite well and is a but unlucky not to make the first Champions League start of his career (4 substitute appearances for PSG in 2022-23). At the risk of stating the obvious here, Isak is highly unlikely to go the full 90 (maybe not even 60) so Ekitike will get a substantial run-out as well.
Liverpool starting lineup
Alisson - Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson - Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz - Salah, Gakpo, Isak
Atletico Madrid starting lineup
Oblak - Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan - Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher, Gonzalez - Raspadori, Griezmann
How to watch Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (September 17)
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool, England
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
That’s right, after a summer of heavy spending Liverpool are looking imperious and have won all four of their opening games in the Premier League. That’s pretty good going as the new signings continue to settle in and Liverpool have that knack of finding a way to win games late on. After losing to eventual winners PSG in the last 16 last season, Liverpool will be fired up to go all the way in this competition this season. Anfield will be rocking on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid have had a slow start to the new season in Spain with just one win from their opening four games. Diego Simeone has made plenty of changes with experienced heads moving on this summer and lots of new players are getting up to speed with his demands. Atleti love to play the underdog and everybody knows what a Simeone team is going to do in an away game in the Champions League. The Spaniards will aim to frustrate Liverpool and use set-pieces and counters to grab at least a point.
Liverpool team news, focus
Alexander Isak could make his Liverpool debut off the bench as he continues to build up his fitness after finally sealing his record-breaking move from Newcastle on deadline day. Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz will be keen to make a big impact on their Anfield European debut, while Jeremie Frimpong is back from injury at right back and Milos Kerkez could be rested at left back after his over-exuberance at Burnley at the weekend. Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones are doubts in midfield, so Dominik Szoboszlai will likely slot in alongside Ryan Gravenberch with Frimpong starting at right back.
Atletico Madrid team news, focus
Julian Alvarez is out, which is a huge blow given his goalscoring ability and how important he is to Atletico. He came off at half time of the 2-0 win against Villarreal at the weekend and will not feature in this game. Key defender Jose Gimenez and midfielder Thiago Almada are also missing, so there is an opportunity for a few players to step up for Atletico. They will play their solid 4-4-2 and Alexander Sorloth is likely to start up top with Antoine Griezmann floating around underneath him. Watch out for Nico Gonzalez too, as the Argentine winger scored on his debut against Villarreal and will be a real threat down the left.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid prediction
All signs point towards a win for Liverpool but we know Atletico will make it really tough for the Reds. Expect it to be tight, but Liverpool will get the job done. Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid.
