Arne Slot reveals bold Alexander Isak plan ahead of Atletico Madrid clash | OneFootball

Liverpool kick of their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on September 17.

It comes as the third time the sides have met on Europe’s biggest stage in the last six seasons after Diego Simeone knocked the defending champions out in 2020.

Jurgen Klopp secured some revenge in the 2021/22 group stages with wins in Liverpool and Madrid for the former Reds boss.

However, plenty has changed since then on Merseyside, with Klopp’s successor Arne Slot winning the Premier League title in his debut 2024/25 season.

Slot has spent big over the summer with Liverpool twice breaking the Premier League transfer record to bring in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

A £125m blockbuster deal to land Isak was completed as part of a dramatic deadline day as Slot missed out on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

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Despite the fanfare surrounding Isak’s arrival, Reds fans have been told to expect a staggered start, after three months of inaction.

Amid his strike at Newcastle, the former Real Sociedad star did not feature in the Magpies preseason or their first three Premier League games of 2025/26, before heading off on international duty with Sweden.

Jon Dahl Tomasson opted against using him in the 2-2 draw with Slovenia and he played 17 minutes off the bench in the 2-0 loss to Kosovo.

Isak could see some debut minutes against Burnley this weekend, but his chances of starting against the Clarets – or when Simeone’s charges visit Anfield – are slim as per Slot’s latest update.

“Tomasson deserves a big compliment because he gets maybe the best striker in the world, and needs him for his country, but understands playing him might result in injury, so he took care of the player,” as per the Liverpool Echo.

“We’ll treat Alex the same, don’t expect 90 minutes every week, he missed preseason and team sessions so we have to build him up gradually. That will be a challenge, but we signed him for six years, this is what fans have to keep in mind.”