Well, it is that time of the year again. The UEFA Champions League is kicking off. It already did so actually, with the first matches played yesterday, but tonight there are a lot of other good games scheduled. This is the magic of this competition’s new format: from the get-go we can watch amazing match-ups, such as Bayern Munich – Chelsea; Juventus – Borussia Dortmund; Naples – Manchester City and Liverpool – Atletico Madrid, the very same match we are about to present.
The clash between these two teams promises to be a highly anticipated one. For anyone interested in statistics and predictions for this unmissable challenge, the comparison site Oddschecker can provide useful information, and constantly updated odds, of course. New players can also take advantage of the free bet offers at Oddschecker, betting on the favourite to win both this match and the other most important football events of the current season, in the UCL and other major football tournaments.
What an opening night
 The world famous Champions League’s music will be the background of a lot of great games during the first UCL Matchday of this season. The new format allows powerhouses to face each other from the very beginning of the most important European competition for clubs and the schedule is filled with amazing matches.
 The game between the Reds and Atleti will put two very ambitious teams face to face. Liverpool is not hiding at all: they are the Premier League Champions and spent a king’s ransom during the summer transfer window, bringing a lot of superstars to Merseyside. The front office didn’t do it to sell more jerseys: they want to lift the most prestigious trophy and they want to do it this year. Given their roster, they are clearly among the favourites, if not the top favourites to triumph in Budapest, at the end of May.
Atleti, on the other side, is the third force in his country, right behind two giants like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, but is a proud team that never surrenders. They aren’t wonderful to watch, but are solid and concrete, exactly as their head coach wants them to be. El Cholo Diego Simeone is not someone who preach a beautiful interpretation of the game. He craves results and dislikes nonsense. We are about to see two very different interpretations of the sport we love and we frankly can’t wait for the kickoff.
Everything can happen
 We do know that everything can happen on a football pitch, even in a clash between two teams with different levels of power; even in Anfield. This is the Champions League and everyone gives his best on this stage. Obviously, the Reds are favourite to win. They are playing better and have to deal with less injuries. The Spanish side isn’t particularly brilliant right now and could face a serious problem on the attacking side: the Argentinian wonder, Julian Alvarez, left their match against Villarreal at halftime, last weekend, with some clear discomfort.
The Reds, however, must stay vigilant and cautious. Simeone always has a couple of aces up his sleeve and if you don’t prepare as well as possible before facing him, you may find yourself dealing with an upset.Â
How bright will Liverpool’s stars shine in the sky over Anfield? We are about to see it. Catch all the latest on this match on our news page, where we publish everything you need to know about the Reds.
