2 hours ago
34
Alexander Isak is set to make his debut for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League after Arne Slot named the Swede in his starting XI at Anfield.
Slot outlined earlier in the week that Isak wasn’t involved against Burnley with an eye on him featuring midweek. The 25-year-old could play as much as 45 minutes, the Liverpool boss said.
Alisson Becker is in the Liverpool goal with Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson making up the defense. Ryan Gravenberch is partnered by Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, with Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo joining Isak in attack.
"When the draw for this season’s competition was first made we knew that we were in a difficult group and this feeling was underlined when it was confirmed that our first game would be against Atletico, a team which has established itself as one of the strongest in Spain and also in Europe over the last decade," Slot writes in the official matchday program.
"I am sure that this is the kind of fixture that UEFA had in mind when they made changes to the format not so long ago as we face up to a tie — not just tonight but also later in the group stage — that could quite easily be a Champions League quarter-final, semi-final or even a final.
"This means we have to be ready for the qualities, strengths and challenges that we know Atletico will bring.
"Most important of all these is that under Diego Simeone they are always competitive. It would not be possible to consistently finish in the top four in La Liga — a league featuring Real Madrid and Barcelona — if this was not the reality.
"In this respect, Atletico are one of the most consistent teams in Europe and it has been this way for a while. For this to be the case, they have to perform at a really high level on a very regular basis so we should definitely expect that this will be the case tonight.
"I know it is very early in this season’s Champions League with another seven group games to go after this fixture but I don’t think it could ever be too soon to have a special European atmosphere at Anfield, especially as our fans know better than anyone else how much of a difference they can make."
"This competition means an awful lot to everyone associated with the club," captain Virgil van Dijk adds.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"You don’t need me to tell you about the wonderful memories Liverpool has created in the Champions League down the years, but the aim now is to create a few more in the coming weeks and months.
"That is an exciting prospect, for sure. The league-phase draw has thrown up some brilliant fixtures; big games against top sides, in amazing stadiums and in front of some of the most passionate supporters around. How can you not be excited for that as a player?
"Of course, we know it won’t be easy. You only need to look at tonight’s opponents to realize that. Atletico have been one of the best and most consistent teams around for many years now.
"They have a top manager, top players, and we need to be ready to work extremely hard if we are to start with a positive result."
English (US) ·