Liverpool's New Era Begins Against Atletico Madrid
Liverpool’s new European era begins under the Anfield lights on Wednesday night, and Andoni Iraola is not about to tiptoe into it.
Atletico Madrid arrive with all their usual edge and awkwardness, but the story on Merseyside is the manager’s willingness to rip up comfort zones early in his reign. He has made it clear: this Liverpool side will run, press and break with ferocity. That comes at a cost. Rotation is not a luxury for Iraola, it is a necessity.
Frimpong and Araujo in Iraola’s sights
After the win at Ipswich on Friday, Iraola did something managers rarely do so bluntly. He named names. Jeremy Frimpong and Ronald Araujo, he said, will be needed from the start in certain games.
Atletico at Anfield feels like one of those nights.
Frimpong, left out at Portman Road, is primed for a recall. His pace and direct running fit the manager’s blueprint perfectly, especially in a game where Liverpool will want to pin Atletico deep and stop them ever feeling comfortable enough to counter.
Araujo’s role could be just as significant. With Jeremy Jacquet still not fully ready to see out matches – the young French defender has been substituted in both of Liverpool’s opening league fixtures and was running on fumes by the end of the weekend – Iraola may turn to the Uruguayan in the centre of defence alongside Virgil van Dijk. It would be a statement pairing: authority, aggression, and aerial dominance against a side that thrives on set-piece chaos.
Midfield reshuffle on the cards
The engine room is unlikely to be spared the shake-up either. Alexis Mac Allister, who has carried a heavy load early on, is a strong candidate to step aside, with Ryan Gravenberch poised to step back into the starting XI.
Gravenberch’s partnership with Dominik Szoboszlai offers something different: longer strides, more vertical running, and a willingness to break lines from deep. It suits the forward press Iraola wants, turning regains into quick, direct attacks instead of patient probing.
Trey Nyoni is also edging closer to a full start. The youngster has impressed off the bench this season, injecting energy and composure in tight moments. An Atletico side that loves to drag games into a grind might be exactly the test that tells Iraola how far Nyoni has really come.
Isak leads the line, questions around his support
Up front, there is no debate about the focal point. Alexander Isak will lead the attack. Rested shortly after the hour at Ipswich, he had already done the damage there, scoring twice for his first brace in Liverpool colours. Sharp movement, ruthless finishing, and the sense that he is only just warming up.
The intrigue lies around him.
Cody Gakpo has started the season in excellent form, with one goal and three assists, and his understanding with Isak is beginning to show real promise. Their link-up offers Liverpool a fluid front line, with both capable of drifting, dropping and interchanging positions.
But Iraola has options, and real ones. Bradley Barcola brings directness and one-on-one threat, while Rio Ngumoha offers fresh legs and unpredictability. Either could come in if the manager decides Gakpo’s workload needs managing or if he wants a different profile to unsettle Atletico’s back line.
Wirtz in the pocket, Endo omitted
Behind the front line, Florian Wirtz looks set to continue as the man between the lines. The role suits him, and Iraola clearly sees the German as a future reference point for this team. Give him pockets of space, and he can dictate tempo, slip passes into runners, and drag rigid defences out of shape.
One decision has already been made: Wataru Endo is not in Liverpool’s Champions League squad. It underlines the competition for places and the tactical direction Iraola is taking in Europe. Victor Munoz, meanwhile, could be handed a breather as the manager juggles minutes in a brutal early schedule.
So Liverpool walk into their first Champions League night of the season with fresh legs, bold ideas and a manager unafraid to rotate big names. Atletico know all about spoiling parties on this stage.
The question now is whether Iraola’s high-octane version of Liverpool can turn Anfield’s familiar roar into something new – and just as intimidating.
