Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign at home to Atletico Madrid tonight, live on talkSPORT.Despite Premier League glory last season, the Reds were unable to replicate this success in Europe, as they were knocked out in the last 16 by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.Liverpool have left it late in all four of their Premier League wins so far, including Rio Ngumoha’s last-gasp winner against NewcastleAFPAfter winning all four of their opening Premier League games this season, Arne Slot’s side will now begin their quest for a seventh European crown.But they haven’t been handed an easy opener, with Atletico proving themselves to be stubborn opponents over the years.The Spanish outfit also reached the round of 16 in last year’s competition, where they were sent packing by city rivals Real, losing 4-2 on aggregate.But after a solid third-place finish in LaLiga, Diego Simeone‘s side are now gearing up for a 13th consecutive campaign in Europe’s bigtime.Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: Date and how to followThis Champions League League Phase game will take place on Wednesday, September 17.Kick-off at Anfield is set for 8pm UK time.talkSPORT will have live commentary of the game, with Adrian Durham serving as your presenter.GettyDiego Simeone has managed Atletico Madrid since December 2011, making him the second longest serving manager in Europe currently[/caption]Commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former West Ham and England striker Dean Ashton.To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.The game will also be shown on TNT Sports 1, while talkSPORT.com will be right across the action as well.This will be the ninth competitive meeting between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, with both sides boasting three wins each. The two teams last faced each other in the 2021/22 Champions League group stage, with the English giants winning both games (2-0 at home, and 3-2 away).Liverpool have won each of their last 14 home European group stage/league phase matches, scoring two or more goals in all of the past 13.Atletico Madrid have scored in 15 of their last 16 league phase/group stage games, as well as suffering defeat in just two of their last 15 opening Champions League fixtures. However, they have won just four of their last 14 away matches in the competition, coming against Feyenoord, PSG, Sparta Prague and Red Bull Salzburg.Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: Confirmed teamsLiverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Isak.Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Endo, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Leoni, Ekitike, Danns, Ngumoha.Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Llorente, Lenglet, Le Normand, Galan, Barrios, Gallagher, Simeone, Gonzalez, Griezmann, Raspadori.Subs: Musso, Esquivel, Ruggeri, Molina, Hancko, Pubill, Koke, Taufik, Rayane, Sorloth, Carlos.Isak starts for Liverpool against Atletico, who have Alvarez outGettyLiverpool topped the 2024/25 Champions League league phase standings, winning the most games (seven) and most points (21) of any side.Diego Simeone has been in charge of Atletico Madrid since December 2011 and has managed them to two wins and two losses against Liverpool. His last victories came in the 2019/20 Champions League round of 16, with his side winning both legs of the tie (3-2 away, and 1-0 at home)Overall Atletico have met English teams 39 times previously, winning 14, drawing 14 and losing 11.Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: What has been said?Liverpool kept up their 100 per cent record in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Burnley over the weekend, thanks to an injury time penalty from Mohamed Salah.As mentioned, they were without big money arrival Alexander Isak, but Arne Slot explained this was due to his lack of training after his boycott at Newcastle amid his battle to force through a transfer.And the Dutchman also outlined his plans for the forward, highlighting the Atletico game as a potential debut.Slot said: “As everybody knew, he hasn’t had any team training at Newcastle.“He then went to the national team [Sweden] and only played there for 15-20 minutes.”Slot explained when Isak could make his debut, saying: “We think that in a week where we play three games in seven days, this is the best lead-up for him to be available against Atletico Madrid.”Last season, Liverpool won all four of their league phase matches at Anfield by an aggregate score of 10-1. This run included a 2-0 win over then reigning champions and Atletico’s fierce rivals Real Madrid.While the Reds have started their 2025-26 Premier League campaign with a perfect four wins from four, they have needed to score the decisive goal in the 83rd minute or later each time.Mohamed Salah has scored more goals (44) and recorded more assists (17) than any other player for Liverpool in the Champions League. If he features against Atletico, he will move into outright second for most appearances for the Reds in the competition, overtaking Steven Gerrard (73), and putting him behind only Jamie Carragher (80).Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann has scored or assisted 26 per cent of his side’s goals in the Champions League (51/197), the highest percentage by any player for a team who have scored 100+ goals in the competition.