Liverpool beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield in Champions League opener

Opening exchanges and Llorente breakthrough

Liverpool began their Champions League campaign under Andoni Iraola with a 2-1 comeback victory over Atlético Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday evening. The hosts created an opening inside the first minute when Dominik Szoboszlai intercepted a midfield pass from Koke and released Alexander Isak, whose low effort flashed wide of Jan Oblak's goal. Alexis Mac Allister missed another chance shortly after, before Álex Baena replied with a long-range effort in the 13th minute. Bradley Barcola then broke down the right flank two minutes later, but Oblak closed down the space.

Diego Simeone altered his stated plans by including Julián Álvarez in the starting lineup alongside Cristian Romero, who made his first start in a three-man central defense with Dávid Hancko. Giuliano Simeone operated on the left flank while Álex Grimaldo began on the bench. Before the match, the Atlético manager had downplayed the Argentine forward's readiness.

He is in a growth phase. I do not see him ready to start.

Álvarez rewarded the selection in the 17th minute. Dropping into midfield, the forward spotted Marcos Llorente's run behind the Liverpool defense after Milos Kerkez misjudged the offside trap. Llorente controlled the pass and fired a left-footed strike past Alisson Becker to claim his fifth goal in three career visits to Anfield.

Liverpool response before the interval

Atlético maintained control over the tempo through the half-hour mark, nearly extending their lead when Alisson turned away a strike from Álvarez. Liverpool appealed for a penalty when Szoboszlai went down in the box, but the referee dismissed the claim. The hosts gradually forced Atlético back through the runs of Rio Ngumoha on the left wing and persistent pressing on the visitors' distribution.

Oblak denied an effort from Florian Wirtz, which was subsequently ruled offside, and parried another close-range attempt from Barcola. The equalizer arrived in the 40th minute following a midfield turnover by Kang-in Lee. Liverpool attacked quickly down the flank, where Ronald Araújo, operating at right-back, delivered a backheel pass into the path of Szoboszlai, who converted to level the match before the interval.

Second half turnaround and substitutions

Liverpool took the lead immediately after the restart. Mac Allister collected possession outside the penalty area and beat Oblak with a long-range strike to make it 2-1. Italian referee Davide Massa subsequently issued yellow cards to Mac Allister and Atlético defender Marc Pubill as the tempo remained intense.

Simeone responded with five substitutions to alter the game. Grimaldo and Ademola Lookman replaced Koke and Kang-in Lee, before Jonathan David entered for Baena in attack. In the closing stages, Morten Hjulmand and Robin Le Normand replaced Pablo Barrios and Romero. Liverpool dropped into a compact defensive block for the final minutes, containing Atlético's possession to secure the victory and hand the Spanish club their second consecutive defeat.