Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Liverpool made a winning start to their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield, completing the turnaround on Andoni Iraola’s first Champions League game in charge.

Liverpool’s unbeaten start to life under Iraola continued as they began their Champions League campaign with the comeback victory. Marcos Llorente extended his scoring streak at Anfield by putting Atletico in front in the 17th minute after Julian Alvarez’s pass caught Milos Kerkez napping.

Alisson Becker was called into action early, tipping away Julian Alvarez’s long-range effort, while Bradley Barcola, on his first start since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, forced a save from Jan Oblak from a tight angle after a Szoboszlai delivery.

Liverpool levelled five minutes before half-time through Dominik Szoboszlai, who rolled past Oblak after collecting Ronald Araujo’s sensational flick inside the box.

The hosts completed the turnaround within five minutes of the restart when Alexis Mac Allister thundered a left-footed drive into the net moments after Barcola had fired just wide following a blistering counter-attack led by Florian Wirtz.

Barcola was then forced off with an injury after pulling up off the ball, and his departure helped Atletico grow into the game. Alvarez was found in space on the edge of the box but his tame shot was easily gathered by Alisson.

Liverpool looked the more likely to score in the closing stages, with Alexander Isak’s shot blocked by Robin Le Normand and Araujo flicking a Szoboszlai corner just wide of the far post. The hosts thought they had a third a minute from time when Jeremie Frimpong tucked home after Victor Munoz’s shot was saved, but the goal was ruled out and Liverpool held on for all three points through five minutes of additional time.

Anfield nemesis silenced

Having played three games in the Champions League in 2014-15 for Athletic Club, Iraola was experiencing UEFA’s flagship competition from the sidelines for the first time, and was able to oversee a winning start.

Llorente remained Atletico’s main threat. Only Robert Lewandowski against Crvena Zvezda and Cristiano Ronaldo against Ajax have scored more goals away from home in the Champions League against a specific side than Llorente’s five against Liverpool.

Szoboszlai continued his fine European form for Liverpool. His 10 goal involvements in the Champions League since the start of last season are six goals and four assists, double that of any other Liverpool player, while he now has three goals and three assists in his last six home outings in Europe.

Mac Allister enjoyed an impressive midfield display, a player reborn under Iraola after a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Five of his 20 goals for Liverpool in all competitions have come from outside the penalty area, while no player won more duels than the Argentine’s five.

Liverpool have now won each of their last four Champions League games against Atletico and finished with an expected goals total of 1.68 from 14 shots to Atletico’s 0.81 from nine attempts.