Alexander Isak STARTS! Liverpool's new £125m striker named in lineup to face Atletico Madrid for debut in Champions League opener

Head coach Arne Slot revealed at the weekend that he was slowly planning to integrate Isak into the starting lineup after training alone for most of pre-season. The forward went on strike at Newcastle in order to try and force a move to Anfield. 

Isak has previously faced Atletico during his time in Spain with La Liga side Real Sociedad. However, in six games against Diego Simeone's side, he only managed one win and scored one goal.

Slot has made two other changes to the Liverpool lineup that started against Burnley on Sunday. In addition to Isak coming in for Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong replaces Alexis Mac Allister after returning from injury, while Andy Robertson starts at left-back in place of Milos Kerkez, who was hooked during a disastrous first-half at Turf Moor.

Liverpool have faced Simeone's Atletico four times during the 2020s. They famously were dumped out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage by the Rojiblancos in 2019-20 in a failed attempt to defend their European title, though they got their revenge two seasons later with a pair of victories against Atleti in the group stage. Overall, the Reds have won three, drawn two and lost three of their meetings with Atletico.