Liverpool predicted XI to face Atletico Madrid as Arne Slot considers three changes

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Arne Slot could consider up to three changes from the Liverpool team that edged past Burnley at the weekend as they kick off their Champions League campaign on Wednesday.

Liverpool will take on Atletico Madrid in the first of eight group phase games in the elite European competition this season, starting at home against a tough Diego Simeone side. Slot's squad have maintained a perfect start to their Premier League campaign with a last-minute penalty win over newly-promoted Burnley on Sunday.

The Reds looked to be retreating to their first points dropped at the weekend, before Jeremie Frimpong's angled cross struck Hannibal's arm, leading to an anxious wait and eventual penalty decision. Mohamed Salah stepped up and sent Martin Dubravka the wrong way, winning the game in the 95th minute to maintain Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season.

Meanwhile, Simeone's side secured their first three points of the season on Saturday with a 2-0 win over fellow Champions League stars Villarreal, after drawing two and losing one of their first three La Liga games this campaign. The Spanish side will be hoping that their European journey gets off to a better start, but Slot's undefeated side stands menacingly in their way.

However, the Reds have been relying on some last-minute heroics lately, with two of their last four Premier League games being won with a strike in added time. Rio Ngumoha secured the three points against Newcastle with a 100th-minute strike, and Salah's 95th-minute penalty was the most recent of these anxious wins.

A solitary 1-0 win over Arsenal came courtesy of a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick in the 83rd minute, and it took until the 88th minute for Federico Chiesa to put Liverpool 3-2 up against Bournemouth in the first game of the season - which finished 4-2 thanks to a Salah strike in the 94th minute.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on September 14, 2025 in Burnley, England.

Reds fans will be hoping that Slot's side will get the job done early against Atletico, but the Dutchman has his work cut out for him in deciding the starting XI. The boss made some big calls in the game against Burnley, including hooking summer signing Milos Kerkez before half-time to be replaced by left-back stalwart Andy Robertson.

Kerkez was booked in the first half for diving in the penalty area, forcing Slot to bring Robertson on to avoid a sending-off for the 21-year-old. Given Robertson's sheer volume of games played in the Champions League so far, the Reds boss may opt for experience over youth in Europe.

However, Robertson has come to the defence of the £40million man, claiming that Kerkez is "only young" and is "the future of the club". He added: "He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the future and it's up to me to push him this season and help him improve. He has a fantastic future ahead of him and he just needs to keep working hard and not let (Sunday) affect him, which it won't as he's a confident lad.

"I'll help him as much as I can but I do want to play games and be the starting left-back and I have got to keep pushing to try to produce the levels I know I can do as well."

Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Milos Kerkez during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 31, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

On the other flank, Frimpong is back in contention which means Szoboszlai could re-enter the midfield after spending a few shifts at right-back for the Reds. The Hungarian star performed well at full-back, but with his preferred position being in the middle of the park, he could return in place of an underperforming Florian Wirtz.

The German star is yet to register a goal contribution in the Premier League so far in four appearances, so Slot may consider bringing him off the bench as an impact sub in the Champions League instead. Deadline day signing Alexander Isak is yet to make a matchday squad for the Reds, but he will be eager to make his presence felt both domestically and in Europe for his new team.

So, we feel that Frimpong will replace Szoboszlai at right-back, with experience being preferred in Robbo in Europe over 21-year-old Kerkez. Isak isn't likely to make the start against Atletico, but could come off the bench - and Wirtz may see himself relegated to the sidelines for the in-form Hungarian in the middle of the park.