Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 as Alexis Mac Allister scores winner at Anfield

Early Atletico lead

Liverpool began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in front of 60,216 spectators at Anfield. Within the opening minute, Alexander Isak received a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai but sent his angled effort wide of Jan Oblak's goal. Atletico Madrid capitalised on their first opening in the 17th minute when Julian Alvarez, starting his first match of the season after a blocked summer transfer to Barcelona, picked out Marcos Llorente. Llorente advanced past Liverpool left-back Milos Kerkez and beat goalkeeper Alisson Becker from 18 yards. The goal was Llorente's fifth at Anfield across three visits with Atletico Madrid, taking his overall Champions League career tally to 10 goals. Alisson subsequently produced a diving save to prevent Alvarez from doubling Atletico Madrid's advantage from long range.

Liverpool turn the match around

The home side equalised five minutes before half-time after pressing Atletico Madrid in their own half. Kerkez regained possession from Kang-in Lee, leading to an initial effort from Bradley Barcola that Oblak stopped. Liverpool sustained the pressure as new signing Ronald Araujo flicked a backheel to Szoboszlai, who placed a low strike into the bottom corner in the 40th minute. Liverpool maintained their momentum immediately after the interval. Barcola missed an opportunity four minutes into the second half when Florian Wirtz set him clear, but Liverpool took the lead in the 50th minute. Alexis Mac Allister collected a loose ball and drove a left-footed strike past Oblak from 20 yards out to seal the comeback.

Mac Allister contract context and debut injury

Mac Allister's winning goal followed pre-match comments on Tuesday where the 27-year-old midfielder, contracted at Liverpool until 2028, expressed sadness that the club had not offered him a contract extension over the summer. While teammates Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch signed new terms in recent months, Mac Allister had been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid during the transfer window before staying on Merseyside. Liverpool's victory carried a setback on the hour mark when Barcola sat down without contact and left the pitch with a calf injury. The French winger, signed in a transfer that could reach £123 million, started on the right wing alongside Isak and Wirtz, marking the first time Liverpool fielded three players costing over £100 million each.

European standings and upcoming fixtures

The result provided manager Andoni Iraola with his first Champions League win as head coach and his first home victory at Liverpool, extending his unbeaten start with the club to four matches across all competitions. The victory was also Iraola's first win against Diego Simeone in four career encounters, following three LaLiga matches against Atletico Madrid while managing Rayo Vallecano. Atletico Madrid have now won four of their last 16 fixtures against English Premier League opposition over the past six years. Liverpool travel to face LASK Linz in their next European fixture on 14 October, while Atletico Madrid host Manchester United at the Metropolitano.