Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid and Napoli vs Arsenal - Champions League LIVE: Premier League duo kick-off European campaign with tough tests

Is this Arsenal's year?

I mean, they made the quarter-final three seasons ago, the semi-finals two seasons ago, and the final last year.

Based on that trajectory, this season could well be the one where they finally get their hands on Ol' Big Ears. I mean, they have waited long enough, haven't they?

Last season they were unlucky to fall at the final hurdle after what was a ridiculously stellar campaign in Europe.

Arsenal were the only team who didn’t lose a single game in normal time in the 2025-26 Champions League. Indeed, the Gunners only trailed for 42 minutes and 48 seconds across the previous edition, which was also the fewest of any team.

A crazy unbeaten run, which they will look to continue tonight.

Ian Ladyman at Anfield:

It's nice to see Rio Ngumoha back in Liverpool's starting line-up.

The winger was expected to get a lot of game time this season after his brilliant breakout campaign last term, but it hasn't turned out that way early doors.

After starting the opening game of the season against Newcastle and having a bit of a stinker down the right-hand side, he hasn't started since. In fact, he didn't even feature against Ipswich.

But tonight Iraola turns back to the 18-year-old, who we presume will play down the right yet again.

On his day, young Ngumoha is one of the most exciting wingers to watch in the Premier League. I blooming loved covering the lad last season; he's just electric.

However, he clearly isn't used to playing down the right and has struggled when I have watched him there,

Ngumoha simply can't afford to struggle tonight, otehrwise he won't get another chance for a while.

Can the boy deliver?

Here he is.

I mean, if you know, you know.

Most footballers have found Anfield a nightmare to play in during their careers; even some of the greats like Sergio Aguero and, of course, Lionel Messi seemed to be crippled by fear when playing here.

But not Marcos Llorente, no. I don't know why or how, but the Atletico Madrid man just adores playing at this stadium. He bags goals for fun at Anfield.

Llorente famously netted an extra-time brace at the ground to knock Liverpool out of the Champions League in 2019-20, and then he added two further goals here last season in a defeat.

Can he bag some more tonight? I wouldn't bet against it.

Isaan Khan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona:

What a start Arsenal have had to the season, eh?

The Gunners somehow look even better than they were last season when they won both the Premier League and reached the final of the Champions League. I mean, I didn't think that was possible.

But hey, here we are one month into the new campaign, and they have won the Community Shield and all three of their Premier League matches so far.

Their recent win over challengers Chelsea was a real statement, coming from behind in impressive fashion against a side that have been ripping teams apart.

Mikel Arteta's side have been both solid at the back and potent in attack in the early stages of this season.

Can they continue that form tonight? It will be a tough task....

Lewis Steele at Anfield:

Ryan Babel, former Liverpool attacker, speaking to SeatPick:

At last!

Viktor Gyokeres has not had the start to the season he will have wanted; he's barely had a kick for Arsenal. Kai Havertz has been the man trusted to lead the line.

But not tonight. Mikel Arteta has given the Swede the chance to show what he is made of from the start, and man, he just has to take it.

A poor showing from Gyokeres tonight, and all that will happen is he will sink deeper into that Arsenal bench.

The boy has to perform.

Now, this is exciting.

Based on that brief 25-minute cameo against Ipswich the other night, I think we are going to have a cracking time watching Bradley Barcola in a Liverpool shirt.

He's fast, he's sharp, and boy does the Frenchman have an eye for goal.

With Cody Gakpo out injured, Barcola gets his chance from the start tonight, so let's see what he can do.

I'm expecting fireworks.

A few changes for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta brings in Piero Hincapie, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, and perhaps biggest of all, Viktor Gyokeres.

The fact that he can bring all those players in and the side isn't any weaker, just shows how strong their squad is.

Big, big call!

We asked the question, and Andoni Iraola has given us the answer. The Spaniard calls upon Bradley Barcola to make his first Liverpool start.

He and Rio Ngumoha are the two changes to this Reds side, as Cody Gakpo drops out injured and Victor Munoz is benched.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's arch-nemesis Marcos Llorente, who adores scoring at Anfield, starts for Atletico. As does Julian Alvarez.