Atletico’s Anfield Test: Can Simeone Finally Break the Premier League Curse?

LIVERPOOL, England — Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will put their European credentials to the test on Wednesday when they face Liverpool at Anfield, searching for a breakthrough against English opposition in the Champions League’s single-table league phase.

Atletico’s storied history in Europe’s premier club competition has been defined by near-misses. The club has reached the final of the Champions League—and its predecessor, the European Cup—on three occasions, falling short of the trophy each time. Under Simeone’s intense tenure, the Madrid outfit has remained a perennial contender, reaching the semifinals of the competition last season.

The Spanish heavyweights enter the matchup looking to overcome a persistent struggle against Premier League clubs. Over their last 10 League Phase outings against English sides, Atletico has found victories hard to come by, registering four draws and six defeats. The fixture presents a tactical chess match between Simeone, who has guided Atletico to some of the club’s greatest modern achievements, and a Liverpool side that has quickly established itself as a dominant force in the tournament’s Swiss-system format.

However, Anfield has not always been an impenetrable fortress for Liverpool when Atletico Madrid comes to town. While the Reds are formidable at home, Atletico has historically found ways to breach their defense on Merseyside, failing to score only once in their last five competitive visits to the stadium. One of the most famous encounters between the two sides occurred in March 2020, when Atletico eliminated the then-defending champions Liverpool in a dramatic extra-time match at Anfield.

Despite their struggles against Premier League opposition, Atletico’s pedigree in the competition remains intact. Their run to the semifinals last season showcased their resilience, and Simeone’s men have repeatedly demonstrated an ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage. Liverpool, meanwhile, have their own recent European pedigree, having secured a third-place finish in the league phase last term after winning the competition’s single-table format in the 2024-25 season.

The match is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. BST (3:00 p.m. EDT) kick-off on Wednesday. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the action will be broadcast live on TNT Sports. Audiences in the United States and other international regions can stream the match live on HBO Max, with regional listings available through official UEFA broadcast partners.