
Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday, September 9 (3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT).
Liverpool head into this Champions League fixture at Anfield without injured Joseph Gomez, back-problem sufferer Federico Chiesa, cruciate-ligament casualty Giovanni Leoni, calf-injury absentee Hugo Ekitike, and knee-issue absentee Conor Bradley, a run of unavailability that puts extra weight on Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Florian Wirtz to carry Liverpool’s attack. Atletico Madrid have a gap of their own with injured Obed Vargas missing, but travel with Julián Alvarez, Marcos Llorente, Giuliano Simeone, and Dávid Hancko all available and central to how they’ll look to trouble the hosts.
There’s a clear contrast in how these two teams create danger. Liverpool’s threat is spread through midfield as much as the front line, with Szoboszlai and Wirtz between them producing a level of chance creation that few sides in Europe can match, while Atletico Madrid lean heavily on Alvarez’s finishing to turn moments into goals. Anfield under the lights is an obvious lift for the hosts, but Atletico Madrid’s mix of experienced operators, from Llorente’s energy to Hancko’s composure at the back, means this won’t be a straightforward night for Liverpool.
US viewers can watch Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid on Paramount+.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: Best Bets & Predictions
Liverpool host Atletico Madrid in a Champions League meeting at Anfield, with two sharply contrasting attacking outlets on show.
Our approach: we've built these picks off each side's underlying attacking output – shots, chances created and last season's goal returns for the key men involved – rather than reputation alone, so the result, goals markets and scorer picks all point the same way.
If Kalshi isn’t your choice, we also rate Polymarket and ProphetX — or compare the full lineup.
Probabilities reflect live Kalshi market prices at time of loading. 21+. Prediction markets are CFTC-regulated event contracts, not sportsbook bets. Polymarket excluded in AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV, OH. Please play responsibly. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. New Kalshi users: USE CODE SQUAWKA.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds and offer are served on click. Eligibility, minimum age (18+/21+) and T&Cs vary by region. Please gamble responsibly.
Season Form & Standings
Neither side has a Champions League table position to lean on yet this early in the league phase, with both Liverpool and Atletico Madrid still to open their account in the competition standings, leaving the individual numbers below as the clearest guide to what each side brings to Anfield.
Recent domestic form. Here’s how each side arrives domestically ahead of the European opener:
Liverpool · Premier League 2026/27
DDW
- 04 Sep – Ipswich Town 0–2 Liverpool (A) W
- 29 Aug – Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest (H) D
- 23 Aug – Newcastle United 2–2 Liverpool (A) D
Atletico Madrid · La Liga 2026/27
WDWL
- 05 Sep – Athletic Club 3–0 Atletico Madrid (A) L
- 29 Aug – Sevilla 1–3 Atletico Madrid (A) W
- 23 Aug – Atletico Madrid 2–2 Villarreal (H) D
- 19 Aug – Atletico Madrid 2–0 Malaga (H) W
Potential Match-Winners
- Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): Szoboszlai’s numbers speak for themselves – 5 goals and 29 chances created in 1,053 minutes last season – and he remains Liverpool’s most complete attacking presence.
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool): Wirtz created more chances than any other Liverpool player last season (32) and added 3 assists, underlining his growing influence as the team’s chief creator.
- Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid): Alvarez was Atletico Madrid’s talisman last season, scoring 10 goals from 46 shots and creating 33 chances in 1,240 minutes – a genuine focal point for the visitors.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Prediction
Liverpool’s spread of goal contributions, from Szoboszlai’s five goals to Van Dijk’s two goals and three assists from the back, should be enough to edge this one, though Julián Alvarez’s proven finishing (10 goals last season) gives Atletico Madrid every chance of getting on the scoresheet too. Liverpool to win 2-1 at Anfield.



