Liverpool Host Atletico, Arsenal Travel to Napoli as Champions League Kicks Off

Liverpool and Arsenal both begin their Champions League title defences tonight, with the English pair featuring in the standout fixtures of an opening round that also sees Barcelona kick off their campaign at home to Feyenoord.

Liverpool host Atletico Madrid at Anfield, arriving in good shape against opponents carrying significant attacking uncertainty: Alexander Sorloth remains out through a muscle injury, Arnau Ortiz is suspended, and while Julian Alvarez has been improving, he is not expected to be at full fitness, with new signing Jonathan David also still building match sharpness after a late arrival. Liverpool have won their last four meetings with Atletico, including a 3-2 win in their most recent encounter.

Arsenal travel to Napoli with a timely fitness boost, as Jurrien Timber has been included in the travelling squad after returning from a long-term groin injury. Napoli, meanwhile, remain without Scott McTominay following a recent medical procedure. Arsenal's preparations were disrupted on the ground, however, with UK air-traffic-control issues delaying their flight to Naples and forcing the cancellation of Mikel Arteta's scheduled pre-match press conference.

Barcelona open their own campaign against Feyenoord, with the two early kickoffs of matchday one completed by Stuttgart's home fixture against Viking, before the night's remaining matches get under way including PSG hosting Slovan Bratislava and Sporting CP facing Galatasaray.