Andoni Iraola's Champions League Debut as Liverpool Head Coach

Andoni Iraola steps into the Champions League spotlight as Liverpool head coach for the first time tonight, and he does it under the Anfield lights against a familiar European antagonist: Atletico Madrid.

The stage is big. The opponent is awkward. But recent history belongs to Liverpool.

Iraola’s first European night

Diego Simeone’s Atletico once had Liverpool’s number. Between 2008 and 2020, the Spanish side lost just once in six meetings. That grip has gone. Liverpool have won the last three clashes between the clubs, flipping the narrative and stripping away the aura of inevitability that used to follow Simeone’s men in this fixture.

Now Iraola walks into that storyline, tasked with keeping Liverpool’s momentum going in Europe while dealing with early-season bumps in his squad.

Gakpo blow changes the plan

All week, Cody Gakpo sat in the “should be fine” category. He missed training on Tuesday, but the line from Liverpool was that his absence was precautionary.

By the time the squad was confirmed, the tone had changed. Gakpo was out altogether.

The 27-year-old has started the season sharply, with one goal and three assists in the Premier League. He set up both goals in the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town, underlining his importance in Iraola’s attacking structure after a summer in which he was heavily linked with Manchester City.

His omission for such a marquee night raised eyebrows, but Iraola moved quickly to calm any panic.

Speaking to TNT Sports before kick-off, he explained: “Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues. Both sides. Nothing specific. [It is] not a proper injury. But we didn’t want to risk him, and I think it makes sense he can rest and hope we can recover him. If it’s not for the weekend, it’s for the next one. But I think even for the weekend he has a chance.”

A “minor adductor injury” is the official line. The hope is that he will be available for Fulham at the weekend. Tonight, though, Liverpool go without one of their main creative outlets.

Barcola thrown straight into the fire

Gakpo’s absence opens the door for a new European storyline.

Bradley Barcola makes his first start for Liverpool, and it comes in the Champions League, at Anfield, against Atletico Madrid. No gentle introduction. No easing him in. Iraola has handed the France forward a place in the XI for the league-phase opener, a clear sign of trust in his ability to slot straight into the intensity of this side.

Rio Ngumoha also comes into the team, with Victor Munoz dropping to the bench as Iraola makes two changes from last Friday’s win at Ipswich Town. It is a tweak rather than a reshuffle, but the front line will have a different feel without Gakpo’s movement and link play.

For Barcola, it is the kind of night that can fast-track a Liverpool career. For Ngumoha, it is another chance to show he belongs in this environment.

Injury list shapes the bench

Behind the headline news on Gakpo, the wider fitness picture still shapes Iraola’s options.

Hugo Ekitike remains a long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from the serious Achilles injury he suffered in April. His absence has already stretched Liverpool’s attacking depth; nights like this underline it.

Joe Gomez, injured within minutes of Liverpool’s first pre-season game with a hamstring problem, returned to full training on Tuesday. That step is significant, but not enough for a place in tonight’s squad. The club will not rush a defender who could be crucial across a long, demanding campaign.

Conor Bradley is still sidelined with the knee injury he picked up in January, while Giovanni Leoni continues his recovery from a knee problem sustained last September. Both remain medium- to long-term considerations rather than immediate solutions.

Federico Chiesa has yet to play a minute this season and was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad altogether. Wataru Endo is also unavailable for the same registration reason, trimming Iraola’s options in midfield and attack on European nights.

So Liverpool go into this opener with a slightly patched-up feel, but with a clear identity and a manager unafraid to lean on fresh faces.

Atletico know this arena, know this competition, and know what it takes to spoil a big European night. The question now is whether Iraola’s first Champions League outing in the Liverpool dugout becomes a statement of intent or an early lesson in just how unforgiving this stage can be.