Andoni Iraola's Champions League Debut as Liverpool Head Coach
Andoni Iraola steps into the Champions League as Liverpool head coach for the first time tonight, and there are no soft landings. Atletico Madrid. Under the Anfield lights. A meeting of two intense touchlines in one of European football’s most unforgiving arenas.
Liverpool arrive with the recent history between these sides tilted sharply in their favour. They have won the last three clashes with Diego Simeone’s team, a sharp correction after taking just one victory from the first six meetings dating back to 2008. The scars of those early battles have faded. The edge, though, remains.
Gakpo ruled out after late scare
The big team news cuts through the pre-match buzz. Cody Gakpo, one of Liverpool’s form players to start the season, is out of the squad entirely.
The 27-year-old had already raised concern when he missed team training on Tuesday, his absence initially downplayed as precautionary. That caution has hardened into a decision: no place for him against Atletico.
Gakpo has been central to Liverpool’s early rhythm, with one goal and three assists in the Premier League so far. He set up both goals in the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town last Friday, underlining why his form had drawn heavy summer links with Manchester City. Now he watches from the sidelines.
Iraola explained before kick-off that Gakpo picked up a minor adductor problem in that game at Ipswich.
“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,” he told TNT Sports.
So this is a setback, not a crisis. Fulham at the weekend remains a realistic target. Liverpool will hope that proves true once the adrenaline of tonight wears off.
Barcola handed full debut on European stage
If Gakpo’s absence removes one storyline, another surges into its place.
Bradley Barcola makes his first start for Liverpool, and it comes on Champions League night at Anfield. No easing-in, no quiet introduction. The France forward goes straight into the XI for the league-phase opener, entrusted by Iraola as the new era in Europe begins.
The head coach makes two changes from the side that beat Ipswich Town. Barcola is one. Rio Ngumoha is the other. Victor Munoz drops to the bench, a reminder of the competition for places already building in this squad.
It is a bold selection, but very much in keeping with Iraola’s front-foot instincts. Atletico, with all their dark arts and experience, will test Barcola’s temperament as much as his talent. Anfield will do the rest.
Injury list still bites
Behind the noise of the occasion, Liverpool’s medical bulletin remains lengthy.
Hugo Ekitike is still a long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from the serious Achilles injury suffered in April. His return is measured in months, not weeks.
Joe Gomez offers a more encouraging note. The defender has been out since pulling up with a hamstring problem in the opening minutes of Liverpool’s first pre-season game. He returned to full training on Tuesday, a significant step, but Iraola has opted not to rush him back into the squad for Atletico. Patience now, to avoid a longer delay later.
Conor Bradley remains unavailable with the knee injury he sustained in January, while Giovanni Leoni is still working his way back from a knee problem picked up last September. Both watch another big night pass from the stands and treatment rooms.
Federico Chiesa has yet to feature this season and was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad entirely. Wataru Endo is also unavailable for the same registration reason, narrowing Iraola’s options in certain areas.
So Liverpool go into their first European test under new management with a reshaped attack, a patched-up squad, and a heavyweight opponent.
The setting is familiar. The storylines are not. How quickly Iraola can bend nights like this to his will will say plenty about where Liverpool are really heading this season.
