No Gerrard, No Salah, Liverpool Search for a New Hero

The Champions League kicks off this week, with Liverpool playing at 3 a.m. on Thursday at home against Atletico Madrid. Here are some interesting preview statistics:

When Atletico Madrid is mentioned, many Liverpool fans still think of them as a difficult opponent. This comes from the unforgettable two-legged round-of-16 tie in the 2019-20 season, which was interrupted by the pandemic, when Liverpool lost 0-1 away and 2-3 at home to suffer a double defeat.

However, Liverpool have actually only lost those two Champions League matches against Atletico Madrid in their history. In their other five Champions League meetings, Liverpool remain unbeaten with three wins and two draws, although all five matches were in the group stage or the post-format-change league phase.

Furthermore, Liverpool have won three consecutive Champions League matches against Atletico Madrid, while Atletico Madrid have never suffered four straight defeats against any opponent in the Champions League.

Of course, Atletico Madrid have always been a tough opponent in the Champions League. This is their 14th consecutive season competing in the competition, and since the 2013-14 season they are one of only six teams to have appeared every season (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City).

Atletico Madrid's strongest figure may be their manager Simeone. Liverpool manager Iraola previously faced Simeone's Atletico Madrid four times while managing other teams, losing three and failing to win any (three defeats and one draw).

This match will be the first Champions League game of Iraola's managerial career. He previously played three Champions League matches as a player in the 2014-15 season. Before this, his only European competition experience as a manager came in the 2018-19 season, when he led Cyprus side AEK Larnaca through qualifying into the Europa League group stage, where they finished third and were eliminated.

This will also be Liverpool's first Champions League campaign without Salah since the 2014-15 season. Salah is Liverpool's leading player in Champions League appearances (83), goals (47), and assists (19).

It will also be the first time since the 1984-85 season that Liverpool enter the Champions League without either Gerrard or Salah. Liverpool are calling for a new all-conquering hero!

Could it be Szoboszlai? Last season, Szoboszlai led Liverpool in the Champions League in goals (5), assists (4), distance covered (130 km), and ball recoveries leading to wins (85).

Could it be Wirtz? Last season in the Champions League, Wirtz created 3.4 chances per 90 minutes, more than any player who had played at least 300 minutes.

Could it be the in-form 'Wave God' Gakpo this season? Last season, he already ranked first in the Champions League for creating big chances per 90 minutes (1.3).

Regardless, the 60,000 fans at Anfield will be the biggest support for all Liverpool players. Liverpool have never lost when playing their first Champions League match of a season, recording 10 wins and two draws in 12 games. Their last three such victories were all 3-2 wins, with the most recent coming against Atletico Madrid last season.

However, Atletico Madrid also have a player who has enjoyed scoring at Anfield—Llorente has scored four goals in two appearances against Liverpool at Anfield. The only stadium where he has scored more goals for Atletico Madrid is their own home ground (15 goals in 145 appearances).

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