Liverpool opened their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The Reds fell behind in the first half but responded with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to secure all three points in Andoni Iraola’s first Champions League match as Liverpool head coach.
Liverpool started brightly and created an early opportunity when Alexander Isak found space inside the Atletico Madrid penalty area, but his effort went wide of Jan Oblak’s goal.
Atletico gradually grew into the contest and began to cause problems for the Liverpool defence. Their pressure paid off in the 16th minute when Marcos Llorente put the visitors ahead.
Julián Alvarez supplied the pass that released Llorente behind the Red defense, with the Atletico midfielder keeping his composure to beat Alisson and give Diego Simeone’s side the lead.
The goal unsettled the Reds for a spell, with Atletico enjoying possession and threatening to extend their advantage. Alisson was also called into action to keep out an effort from Alvarez.
Liverpool, however, continued to search for an equaliser before the break. Their persistence eventually paid off when Szoboszlai levelled the contest in the 39th minute.
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The Hungarian midfielder finished after The Red kept the pressure on Atletico, with Ronald Araujo’s clever touch helping create the opening. Szoboszlai’s strike sent the teams into half-time level at 1-1.
Liverpool returned from the break with greater attacking intent and quickly completed the comeback. In the 50th minute, Alexis Mac Allister produced a powerful left-footed strike from around the edge of the penalty area to beat Oblak and put Liverpool 2-1 ahead.
The home side had opportunities to add a third, while Atletico remained dangerous on the counter. The Red’s defense, however, held firm as Simeone introduced fresh attacking options in an attempt to find an equalizer.
The visitors were unable to find another goal, allowing Liverpool to protect their advantage and claim a valuable three points from their opening league-phase fixture.
The result gives Iraola a winning start to his Champions League campaign with the Reds, while Atletico leave Anfield without a point despite taking the lead.
Mac Allister emerged as one of the decisive figures of the night, while Szoboszlai’s equaliser proved crucial in turning the momentum in Liverpool’s favour.
The Red will now look to build on the result as their Champions League campaign continues, while Atletico Madrid will seek a response in their next European fixture.
The Guardian
