Liverpool have started the Premier League season with four successive wins but they've ridden their luck and will need to up their game for this UEFA Champions League opener with Atletico Madrid.
Arne Slot's side were comfortable title winners in England last term and have spent big on the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez this summer in a bid to push on.
But the new boys are taking time to gel and Liverpool have needed late winners to see off Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal and Burnley.
The sloppiness on show so far is more likely to be punished by Europe's elite, so Slot will be looking for a much-improved display when Atletico come calling.
Diego Simeone will have his side well drilled as always but Atletico have also made an unconvincing start, winning just one of their four games so far.
That victory did come against Villarreal on Saturday, though, with a goals bet landing for our man Gabriel in their 2-0 triumph.
Simeone will now be looking for a statement win at Anfield to spark Atletico's season to life and he certainly has the talent at his disposal to ask a few questions of Slot's side.
How the bookies view it: Atletico up against it
Anfield is usually a fortress for Liverpool in Europe and BoyleSports have the Reds as 8/13 favourites. Atletico Madrid are 9/2 outsiders and the draw pays 3/1.
Head to head: Nothing in it
These sides have been familiar foes in Europe of late, facing off eight times since 2008. It has been honours even, with three wins apiece and two draws.
Liverpool won 2-0 on Atletico's last visit in 2021, exacting revenge for a 3-2 home defeat a year earlier in their final game before the Covid lockdown.
Players to watch: Cody red for Atletico
Cody Gakpo stepped up last season in Liverpool for Europe, with the winger netting three times in the Champions League. He's always a threat cutting in from the left and is 5/4 at Bet365 to either score or assist.
Julian Alvarez went off with an injury on Saturday for Atletico so Alexander Sorloth could start up front. The towering Norwegian could unsettle the Reds and is 11/5 for a goal with Betfred, who are offering £50 in free bets with our great promo.
Probable line-ups
In addition to Alvarez, Atletico have injury concerns over David Hancko, Robin Le Normand and Nico Gonzalez. Jose Maria Gimenez, Thiago Almada and Alex Baena definitely miss out.
Slot has claimed star signing Isak will be limited to 45 minutes of action at most. Curtis Jones is set to miss out while Alexis Mac Allister took a sore one in the win at Burnley.
Liverpool: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Salah.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Ruggeri, Llorente, Lenglet, Le Normand, Koke, Barrios, Simeone, Gallagher, Griezmann, Sorloth.
Anything else catch the eye?
Even though Liverpool haven't been at their best they should have too much quality for an Atletico side with injuries to some of their key men. Combining a Reds win with over 1.5 goals boost their odds to 20/23.
Simone's side are usually good value in the card and fouls markets so that's an avenue worth exploring. Defender Marcos Alonso looks good at 12/5 with Bet365 for over 1.5 fouls while midfielder Pablo Barrios, who collected six yellows and two reds last term, is 2/1 to go into the book.
Atletico should get a few sights at goal based on Liverpool's displays so far this season and veteran forward Antoine Griezmann is 6/4 at Bet365 to have an effort on target.
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