Liverpool's unbeaten start to life under Andoni Iraola continued as they began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid.


2026/2027 UEFA Champions League

2-1

Match Report

Marcos Llorente's incredible scoring streak at Anfield rolled on when he put Atletico in front, only for Dominik Szoboszlai to level things up just before the half-time whistle. 

Alexis Mac Allister struck the decisive blow in the 50th minute to get Liverpool over the line, though an injury to £123m signing Bradley Barcola somewhat soured the victory. 

Anfield was on its feet after just 15 seconds when Szoboszlai won back possession from kick-off before offloading to Alexander Isak, who fired wide of the left post.

Julian Alvarez then forced Alisson Becker into his first save before Barcola, on his first start since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, exquisitely took down Szoboszlai's ball down the right channel and fired at Jan Oblak from a tight angle.

But it was Atletico who got themselves in front in the 17th minute after carving through Liverpool's defence, as Alvarez's pass caught Milos Kerkez napping and allowed Llorente to steal in and finish. 

Alisson was then at full stretch to tip Alvarez's shot from distance behind, but Liverpool levelled five minutes before half-time through Szoboszlai, who rolled past Oblak after collecting Ronald Araujo's sensational flick inside the box. 

Dominik Szoboszlai has double the tally of goal involvements (10) in the UEFA Champions League since the start of last season than any other Liverpool player. pic.twitter.com/533CRxt91j

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 9, 2026

Liverpool completed the turnaround within five minutes of the restart when Mac Allister thundered a left-footed drive into the net just 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, but after Alvarez was found in space on the edge of the box, his tame shot was easily gathered by Alisson. 

The hosts were able to weather that storm and looked more likely to score in the closing stages, but Isak's shot was blocked by Robin Le Normand, with Araujo then flicking a Szoboszlai corner just wide of the far post.

Liverpool thought they had their third a minute from time when Jeremie Frimpong tucked home after Victor Munoz's shot was saved, but the Reds were able to hold on for all three points for the five minutes of additional time. 

Victory in MD1 #UCL pic.twitter.com/SWFFhSudFJ

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 9, 2026

Anfield nemesis Llorente silenced by Szoboszlai and Mac Allister

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 he was able to oversee a winning start, though it was anything but easy. 

And there only seemed to be one player who would have their say for Atletico. Only Robert Lewandowski against Crvena Zvezda (six) and Cristiano Ronaldo against Ajax (six) have scored more goals away from home in the Champions League against a specific side than Llorente's five against Liverpool.

But Liverpool have their own Anfield hero in Szoboszlai. His 10 goal involvements in the Champions League since the start of last season (six goals, four assists) are double that of any other Liverpool player, while he now has three goals and three assists in his last six home outings in Europe.

There was also an impressive midfield display from Mac Allister, who is 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 won each of their last four Champions League games against Atletico, and they were deserving victors here. They finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.68 from their 14 shots to their opponents' 0.81 from their nine attempts. 

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

1' Isak's effort goes wide of the target

4' Mac Allister's effort from outside the box clears the crossbar

12' Match Event for Liverpool vs Atletico

14' Match Event for Liverpool vs Atletico

17' GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Atletico (Marcos Llorente)



25' Highlight from Liverpool vs Atletico

27' Álvarez's fierce effort from close range is parried away by Alisson

28' Yellow Card! Mac Allister booked

32' Wirtz's effort from close in is parried away by the goalkeeper

36' Van Dijk inadvertently steps on Lee Kang-in's boot, dislodging it

40' A lovely flick from Ronald Araujo to set Szoboszlai up! Liverpool 1-1 Atletico



50' Mac Allister rifles in an unstoppable shot to make it 2-1! Liverpool 2-1 Atletico



56' Araújo commits a foul on Álvarez

58' And we have Benítez, the former Liverpool manager, watching on from the stands

60' Highlight from Liverpool vs Atletico

64' Xavi, the former Barcelona manager, is in attendance at pitchside

78' Isak's effort is deflected wide by a defensive intervention

83' Match Event for Liverpool vs Atletico

89' Highlight from Liverpool vs Atletico

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Isak, Araujo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Barcola, Milos Kerkez, Wirtz, Jérémy Jacquet, Rio Ngumoha

Subs: Freddie Woodman, Tsimikas, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong, Luke Chambers, Víctor Muñoz, James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns

Atletico XI: Oblak, Koke, Llorente, Dávid Hancko, Cristian Romero, Álex Baena, Kang-in Lee, Alvarez, Marc Pubill, Giuliano Simeone, Barrios

Subs: Grimaldo, Musso, Le Normand, Lookman, Jonathan David, Morten Hjulmand, Johnny Cardoso, Rodrigo Mendoza, Obed Vargas, Dani Martinez, Jorge Castillo, Jorge Domínguez