Liverpool Open Champions League Campaign with Comeback Win
Liverpool began their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield, coming from behind thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. The result gave head coach Andoni Iraola his first home win in charge of Liverpool and his first-ever victory as a manager in European competition.
How the Match Unfolded
Atletico Madrid started the brighter of the two sides and took a deserved lead in the 17th minute. Julian Alvarez, making his first start of the campaign after a failed summer move to Barcelona, picked out the run of Marcos Llorente through the middle. Llorente got the better of Milos Kerkez before lifting a composed finish over an exposed Alisson to make it 1-0 — his fifth Champions League goal at Anfield, a ground where he has enjoyed remarkable success throughout his career.
Atletico continued to look dangerous, with Alvarez forcing a smart save out of Alisson from long range in the 27th minute. Liverpool struggled to create clear chances in the aftermath of falling behind, but they found a leveler five minutes before half-time. Kerkez atoned for his earlier error by winning back possession, before Ronald Araujo produced a clever back-heel to tee up Dominik Szoboszlai, who finished calmly to make it 1-1 at the break.
Liverpool then made the stronger start to the second half, taking the lead just five minutes after the restart. Alexander Isak inadvertently helped a loose ball into the path of Alexis Mac Allister, and the Argentine midfielder made no mistake, driving a thunderous left-footed effort from the edge of the box beyond Jan Oblak and into the bottom corner — his 20th goal for the club.
Atletico pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Liverpool's defense held firm to see out a 2-1 win and secure a winning start to the new league-phase format.
Key Talking Points
- Mac Allister's timely response: The winning goal came a day after Mac Allister spoke candidly in a press conference about his frustration over the lack of a new contract offer from Liverpool, with the midfielder still under contract until 2028.
- Barcola's Anfield bow: Bradley Barcola made his first start for Liverpool following his £123 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, showing glimpses of his quality with sharp movement in behind the Atletico defense.
- Iraola's unbeaten start continues: The result extended Liverpool's unbeaten run under their new head coach to four competitive matches (two Premier League draws, one league win, and now a Champions League victory), though a recurring trend of conceding first is something Iraola will look to address.
- Llorente's Anfield magic: Marcos Llorente's opener continued his remarkable record at Liverpool's home ground, where he has now scored five of his ten career Champions League goals.
- Alvarez's slow return: Julian Alvarez had a quiet night on his first start of the season for Atletico following his failed attempt to force a move to Barcelona over the summer.
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