Champions League
2025-09-17 - Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League
Wednesday 17th September 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Liverpool
A new format meant a learning curve for managers as well as players and Arne Slot made it clear that he would not be placing as much stock into trying to finish 'top' of the Champions League Group again. You could understand the frustrations with Liverpool having to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Last 16 and they were beaten on Penalties by the eventual Winners of the competition.
The League Phase saw Liverpool win their opening seven Champions League fixtures, but they concluded the European campaign with 2 losses from the last 3 games played. A top eight finish still feels valuable, but Slot's comments will make it a little more uncertain as to how the Dutchman will approach the League Phase this time around. Home form saw Liverpool win all 4 of their League Phase fixtures at Anfield, but the 0-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain was eventually fatal to their chances of reaching the Quarter Final and potentially beyond.
Liverpool have made a perfect start to the new Premier League season as defending English Champions, although they have needed late goals in all of those victories, including on Sunday at Turf Moor. The Reds have won 5 of their last 7 games at Anfield since losing to Paris Saint-Germain last season.
Alexander Isak was surprisingly not included in the squad on Sunday after his British record move to Anfield, but is expected to be on the bench. Alexis Mac Allister is a doubt, while the manager may make one or two changes with the Merseyside derby in mind.
Atletico Madrid
Most European representatives were able to progress to the Knock Out Stages at the Club World Cup this summer, but Atletico Madrid were very disappointingly beaten in the Group Stage. They gave rivals Real Madrid as good as they got before losing in the Last 16 last season, while the start made to this campaign has been a touch disappointing to say the least.
Finishing in the top eight saw Atletico Madrid surpass the League Phase performances of the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, but they were still eliminated in the first Knock Out tie played. They did win 3 away Champions League games last season, but Atletico Madrid have lost 4 of their last 7 on their travels in this competition.
Atletico Madrid had picked up 2 points from the opening three League games, but were able to earn maximum points from a 2-0 home victory over Villarreal this past weekend. The away form has been something of a concern for a little bit of time now and Atletico Madrid have won 1 of their last 6 games on their travels. Making it more concerning is that the side have lost half of those fixtures played.
Robin Le Normand, David Hancko, Nico Gonzalez and Julian Alvarez are all considered doubts for the visiting team.
Head to Head
Liverpool have won both previous home games against Atletico Madrid in normal time, although they blew a 2-0 lead in Extra Time to lose 2-3 when the teams met in the Last 16 of the 2019/20 season.
More recently, Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 at Anfield in the Group Stage of the 2021/22 season.
Prediction
The wins have been put on the board, but Liverpool have yet to really hit top gear in any of the matches played this season.
However, it is a sign of Champions that they can find a way to win games, while also having a slight rub of the green can only help.
Last season Liverpool dominated the League Phase of the Champions League with seven straight wins to open proceedings, but the draw for the Last 16 would have privately infuriated Arne Slot. The manager made it clear that there is no real benefit of finishing top of the League Phase if having to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Last 16 and that could mean Slot opts for changes at times.
It is unlikely to be the case this early in the Group Stage- instead Liverpool may focus on getting enough points to finish in the top eight to avoid an extra Knock Out Round in February. That places emphasis on making sure fixtures at Anfield are won and Liverpool should have enough quality to get the better of an injury-hit Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone's men are not nearly as defensively sound as they once were at this level and 4 losses in 7 away games in the Champions League backs up that statement.
Even if the likes of Robin Le Normand, Nico Gonzalez and Julian Alvarez are available, Atletico Madrid may not want to risk them for too long.
A poor start to the season has Simeone's men already playing catch up and they may struggle to contain this Liverpool attack.
Liverpool have won both previous home games against Atletico Madrid, at least after normal time, and they should have just enough to do the same again, even if another late goal might be needed.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 2-0 Atletico Madrid
