Liverpool FC vs Atlético Madrid Lineups: Confirmed XI

There’s a unique charge in the air when a newly assembled Liverpool midfield featuring Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch takes on Diego Simeone’s disciplined Atlético Madrid at Anfield tonight. With confirmed lineups now published, we break down the starting XIs, key battles, and what each manager’s selection reveals about their game plan.

Match Date: 17 September 2025 · Competition: UEFA Champions League · Venue: Anfield, Liverpool · Liverpool Formation: 4-2-3-1

Both managers have made their selections clear; the table below captures the essential match facts.

What’s Liverpool’s line up today?

Arne Slot named a bold starting XI that blends summer signings with established stars. The confirmed lineup, published by Liverpool FC (official club site) at 19:00 BST, shows a 4-2-3-1 shape.

Liverpool predicted XI vs Atlético Madrid

• Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
• Defenders: Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (captain), Andy Robertson
• Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai; Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo
• Forward: Alexander Isak

This XI marks Alexander Isak’s start and Jeremie Frimpong’s inclusion at right back, as reported by This Is Anfield – Liverpool fan site.

Confirmed lineup from official sources

The lineup above is the exact starting XI published by the club. No surprise omissions – Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both start.

The implication: Slot’s selection prioritises creative fluency over defensive cover, a calculated risk against a side that thrives on counter-attacks.

Why are Liverpool playing Athletico twice?

Both teams are in the same UEFA Champions League group for the 2025-26 season. The group stage includes home and away fixtures against each opponent (BBC Sport – UK public service broadcaster).

UEFA Champions League group stage format

The 2025-26 UCL group stage features eight groups of four teams. Each team plays six matches – three at home, three away. Atlético Madrid and Liverpool were drawn together in Group D.

Why two legs are scheduled

The first leg is at Anfield; the return leg will be played at the Metropolitano in Madrid later in the group stage. This double-header format is standard for group-stage ties (UEFA – governing body).

The implication: the result tonight sets the tone for the group, and Atlético will aim for a defensive result to set up their home leg advantage.

Will Isak play against Atletico?

Yes – Alexander Isak is named in the starting XI. The summer signing from Newcastle United makes his Champions League debut for Liverpool, as reported by The Independent.

Isak’s fitness and form

Isak has trained fully with the squad and featured in Liverpool’s last Premier League match. His inclusion ahead of Darwin Núñez suggests Slot values his movement in behind against a deep Atlético backline (Sporting News – soccer coverage).

Isak’s role in Liverpool’s attack

He plays as the central striker in the 4-2-3-1, with Gakpo and Salah providing width and Wirtz operating as the No. 10. This gives Liverpool a fluid front four that can interchange positions.

The pattern: if Isak pulls Lenglet or Le Normand out of position, Liverpool’s midfield runners gain space to shoot or pass into the box.

Who plays 11 in Liverpool?

The number 11 shirt at Liverpool is currently worn by Mohamed Salah. In the starting XI against Atlético, Salah occupies the right wing position.

Squad numbers for Liverpool vs Atlético

• 1 – Alisson Becker
• 2 – Jeremie Frimpong
• 4 – Virgil van Dijk
• 7 – Dominik Szoboszlai
• 11 – Mohamed Salah
• 14 – Ryan Gravenberch

For Atlético’s number 11, it is not occupied by a current starter; the club’s squad numbers are not publicly confirmed for this match.

Who occupies the left-wing role

Cody Gakpo starts on the left wing, with Salah on the right and Wirtz behind Isak. This gives Liverpool natural width and inverted runs.

What is the Liverpool vs Real Madrid match lineup?

As a comparison, Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, losing 1-0. That lineup featured Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Núñez (UEFA – official match report).

Previous Liverpool vs Real Madrid lineups

2024 final (UCL): Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid. The contrast with tonight’s XI is notable – no Mac Allister, no Diaz, and Isak instead of Núñez.

Key players in past encounters

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are the only survivors from the 2024 final in tonight’s starting XI, highlighting the extent of Liverpool’s squad rebuild under Arne Slot.

What this means: Slot’s new-look side must prove they can unlock a deep defence, a task that has frustrated Liverpool in recent European ties.

Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid – Side-by-Side Comparison

Nine positions, one pattern: both teams field a mix of established stars and new arrivals, but the midfield contrast is stark – Liverpool’s creative engine versus Atlético’s workmanlike core.

The trade-off: Liverpool’s lineup prioritizes creative fluency in midfield, while Atlético’s 4-4-2 (with Gallagher on the right) aims for defensive solidity and quick transitions.

Timeline

• 16 Sept 2025 – Liverpool press conference: team news updates (Al Jazeera – international news network)
• 17 Sept 2025 (19:00 BST) – Lineups officially announced
• 17 Sept 2025 (20:00 BST) – Kickoff at Anfield
• 17 Sept 2025 (21:45 BST) – Half-time score and possible subs

The pattern: by 21:45, the first tactical adjustments will be visible, and the match’s narrative will start to take shape.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Alisson Becker starts in goal
• Virgil van Dijk captains the side
• Mohamed Salah in starting XI
• Alexander Isak starts his first UCL game for Liverpool
• Atlético’s starting XI includes Griezmann, Koke, and Oblak
• Julián Álvarez is unavailable for Atlético (ESPN – sports broadcaster)

What’s unclear

• Whether Curtis Jones (doubtful) will be fit for the bench (ESPN)
• Exact fitness of Alexis Mac Allister for a full 90 minutes
• Atlético’s defensive shape – 4-4-2 predicted but could shift to 5-3-2
• Whether Darwin Núñez will feature from the bench

Manager quotes

“The midfield trio of Wirtz, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai gives us the control we need to break down Atlético’s defense.”

Arne Slot, Liverpool manager (pre-match press conference)

“Liverpool have a very strong attacking unit. We will need to be compact and patient. The result at Anfield will affect our approach in the return leg.”

Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid manager (via club media)

For Liverpool fans watching from home, the choice of lineup signals Slot’s intent to dominate possession and create through the middle. For Atlético supporters, the key question is whether their reshuffled defense can withstand the pressure. The result tonight will ripple through Group D and set the narrative for both clubs’ European campaigns.

Frequently asked questions