Andoni Iraola is stepping into the Champions League cauldron for the very first time as Liverpool’s gaffer, and you just know it’s going to be a wild one! Guess who’s rolling into Anfield? None other than Atletico Madrid, a squad Reds fans know all too well from battles past. This isn’t just a regular fixture; it’s a huge moment for Iraola with the six-time European champions, especially after last season’s brutal exit from this very competition.
Revenge on the Mind for Reds, Turbulence for Atleti
Last season, man, that Champions League run ended in a seriously tough spot for the Reds. They got absolutely clobbered, a painful 4-0 aggregate smackdown, by eventual winners PSG. Talk about a sour taste lingering, right? But hey, momentum is a real thing, and Liverpool just grabbed their first win under Iraola on Friday. Alexander Isak was on fire, netting twice in their Premier League clash against Ipswich Town. That’s the kind of spark you need heading into a big European night like this one.
Over on Atletico Madrid’s side, it’s been a turbulent ride all summer. The Julian Alvarez transfer saga was the talk of the town, dominating almost every conversation around the club. But despite all that drama, Diego Simeone’s squad had a strong showing in this competition last season, clawing their way to the semi-finals before eventually being knocked out by Arsenal. So, they know how to go deep. Plus, get this, this game is a repeat of last season’s league phase opener. Liverpool snagged a 3-2 victory back then, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Virgil van Dijk. But don’t forget Marcos Llorente, who bagged both goals for Atletico in that encounter. This guy is a serious threat.
Alvarez Drama and a Surprise Superstar’s Rise
Speaking of Llorente, are you serious? This dude has four goals in just two appearances at Liverpool. And if that wasn’t wild enough, he actually named his dog ‘Anfield’ after scoring a brace at the stadium way back in the 2020 Champions League. You can’t make this stuff up! He’s definitely one to watch, he knows how to find the net in that stadium.
Then there’s Alex Baena. What a story! He was a surprise star for Spain at the World Cup this summer, and he holds the insane record of being the first player ever to win the World Cup, European Championship, and the Olympics. Seriously, the guy is a legend already. He’s already blown past his La Liga goal tally from last season, scoring three times in Atletico’s first four league matches compared to just two all of last season. When a reporter tried to needle him, asking if he’d “dressed up as Julian Alvarez” after a superb free-kick against Malaga, his response was pure gold: “No, I dressed up as Alex Baena.” That’s the confidence you want.
As for Julian Alvarez, his future was murky all summer with Barcelona publicly courting him. He was keen on the move, but Atletico just flat out refused to sell him. He’s made two substitute appearances since then, and Simeone’s hoping the whole thing turns into a “learning experience” for the ex-Manchester City man. They’re also dealing with Alexander Sorloth being an injury doubt and Arnau Ortiz suspended, so their depth will be tested. This match is huge, a real test of where both these clubs stand early in the Champions League campaign!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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