The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Opening Match between Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid will be scheduled on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 20:00 BST at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. After winning the 14th September Premier League match over Burnley by 1-0, Liverpool will be looking for its first victory in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield, Liverpool, in their opening match of the league phase. It’s a renewal of a compelling European rivalry the defending Premier League champions face Los Rojiblancos for the first time since their dramatic 2021-22 Champions League group stage encounters.
Liverpool enter as title contenders under Arne Slot, having maintained their perfect start to the season. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, return to Anfield seeking to avenge their previous defeats and establish themselves once again among Europe’s elite.
Liverpool have started their Premier League title defense perfectly with four wins from four matches, though their performances have shown some vulnerability. Their latest victory was a dramatic 1-0 win over Burnley, secured by Mohamed Salah’s 95th-minute penalty.
The Reds have made significant Transfers in 2025 squad, with marquee signing Alexander Isak arriving from Newcastle for a British record £125 million, while Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong add creativity and pace to their ranks.
Atletico Madrid have endured a mixed start to their La Liga campaign, currently sitting 16th in the table with just one win, two draws, and one loss from their opening four matches.
2025 UEFA Champions League opening match: Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Table of Contents
| Date | Teams | Predicted Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 17, 2025 20:00 BST | Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid | 2-1 | Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, capacity- 61,276 |
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Starting XI
- Liverpool Possible Starting XI Prediction (4-3-3):
- GK: Alisson Becker
- Defenders: Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson
- Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai
- Attackers: Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo
- Atletico Madrid Possible Starting XI Prediction (4-4-2):
- GK: Jan Oblak
- Defenders: Nahuel Molina, José María Giménez, Robin Le Normand, Javi Galán
- Midfield: Marcos Llorente, Conor Gallagher, Pablo Barrios, Thiago Almada
- Attackers: Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Match Information
Key Players to Watch:
- For Liverpool: Alexander Isak makes his Champions League debut for the Reds as their record signing, while Mohamed Salah continues his prolific form with crucial late goals. Florian Wirtz brings creativity and flair to Liverpool’s midfield after his summer arrival.
- For Atletico Madrid: Julián Álvarez has made an immediate impact since his £82 million move from Manchester City, scoring once in three appearances. Antoine Griezmann remains the creative heartbeat of the team, while new signing Conor Gallagher adds energy and pressing intensity to the midfield.
Match Prediction
This fixture promises to be a captivating encounter between two European heavyweights. Liverpool’s home advantage at Anfield and their superior current form makes them favorites, but Atletico’s defensive resilience and individual quality could pose problems.
The Reds’ perfect Premier League start demonstrates their title-winning mentality, while Diego Simeone’s side will be desperate to kickstart their season with a statement victory. Expect a cagey affair with moments of brilliance, but Liverpool’s attacking firepower and home crowd should see them edge a 2-1 victory.
- Match Score: Liverpool 2–1 Atletico Madrid
Head-to-Head & Tactical Analysis
The head-to-head record between these European giants is perfectly balanced, with both teams winning 3 matches each and 2 draws from their 8 previous competitive encounters. Liverpool hold a slight edge in goals scored with 12 compared to Atletico’s 11.
The most recent meetings came in the 2021-22 Champions League group stage, where Liverpool secured impressive victories both home (2-0) and away (3-2) under Jürgen Klopp.
However, Atletico famously knocked Liverpool out of the 2019-20 Champions League Round of 16 with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Anfield after extra time, just before the first COVID-19 lockdown. The Spanish side also eliminated Liverpool from the 2009-10 Europa League semi-finals on away goals, eventually winning that tournament.
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Total Goals Scored | Total Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 11 |
| Atletico Madrid | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 12 |
Tactical Insights
- Liverpool’s European pedigree: The Reds are six-time European champions and have reached three Champions League finals since 2018, demonstrating their big-game experience.
- Atletico’s away form concerns: Los Rojiblancos have struggled in recent years away from home in the Champions League, particularly against English opposition.
Last 5 Match Performance
| Team | Form (Last 5 Games) | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | W-W-W-W-W | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Atletico Madrid | W-D-D-L-W | 2 | 2 | 1 |
How to watch the Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Champions League match, and Live Score?
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 HD and TNT Sports Ultimate, with streaming available on discovery+ and the TNT Sports app. Coverage begins at 7:00 pm BST.
Fans around the world can follow the action through official broadcasters in their respective regions. You can follow the match coverage on the official site of UEFA or TNT Sports.
The kick-off is set for 17 September 2025. In the UK, it will be at 8:00 pm BST, and in Spain, at 9:00 pm CEST. For viewers in the US, this typically translates to 3:00 pm ET and 12:00 pm PT. In India, the match will kick off at 12:30 am IST on Thursday, September 18.
| Country | TV Channel | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| USA | CBS Sports | Paramount+, CBS Sports App |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | TNT Sports 1 | discovery+, TNT Sports App |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| India | Sony TEN 2 | Sony LIV, JioTV |
