Right-back misses Liverpool training ahead of Atletico Madrid tie | OneFootball

Liverpool are set to open their Champions League campaign on Wednesday evening with a game against Atletico Madrid.

Every year without fail, no matter which pot Liverpool and Atletico end up in, both clubs seems to face one another at some point in the Champions League.

Last season, on 17 September, the Reds just about managed to get past the La Liga giants with a 3-2 win.

However, it took until the 92nd minute for them to beat them with Virgil van Dijk netting the winner.

As per usual, Marcos Llorente had one of the best games of his life last season and, for one reason or another, it felt like Liverpool performed to half of their capability.

This term, Andoni Iraola will be hoping for an easier win but, the latest news to emerge from Anfield isn't ideal for that outcome to become true.

Isaac Mabaya has missed Liverpool's training session ahead of their Champions League tie

One of the Reds' main problems last season was their right-back.

At certain points in the season, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo were all used there by Arne Slot which is far from ideal.

And, with Conor Bradley still out injured and Jeremie Frimpong not in the best run of form, it still feels like right-back is an issue for them.

So, the fact that they called up youngster Isaac Mabaya to their squad makes a lot of sense.

However, as per a fresh update from journalist Jack Lusby, the 21-year-old didn't feature for Liverpool in their final training session before the game on Wednesday.

"No Isaac Mabaya in Liverpool's training today despite being named in the Champions League squad," he shared via X.

"Considered an emergency option. Fills a club-trained spot, as is the case in the Premier League (homegrown).

"More likely to play for U21s vs. West Ham next week."

Liverpool need to get their squad in order and figure out who's going to be regularly available this season

Last term, the Reds' fanbase were expecting a lot more from Liverpool.

They were coming off the back of a Premier League-winning season and, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz joining their ranks, it felt like they were going to be close to unstoppable.

Obviously, things didn't pan out that way with Slot only just managing to qualify for Europe's premium competition after finishing fifth in the top flight.

However, now that Iraola is at the helm, it's clear to see that things are already changing.

Liverpool seem to be playing with a lot more freedom and, while the centre of the park is still an issue thanks to Iraola's double pivot, it feels like the Spaniard is slowly figuring out his best partnership in that area too.

But, the one thing that could end up holding them back is their squad depth.

If three or four injuries occur at Anfield, they're going to be down to their academy players as their only back-ups.

And, while it's good that Iraola is trusting them, if Liverpool want to try and add another trophy or two to their cabinet this season, they need to massive improve their performance levels.

Here's hoping that change is made and the Reds figure out which players are going to be constantly available for them.