Liverpool began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield as Alexis Mac Allister produced a superb second-half winner.
Marcos Llorente had given Atletico an early advantage before Dominik Szoboszlai brought Liverpool level before half-time. Mac Allister then completed the turnaround with an emphatic strike from outside the penalty area, giving Andoni Iraola his first home victory as Liverpool manager and his first win in the Champions League.
It maintained Liverpool’s unbeaten start under their new manager, although another match in which they conceded first will give Iraola something to consider.
Photo by IMAGO
Llorente Haunts Liverpool Again
Atletico arrived at Anfield with a clear threat on the counter-attack and took advantage when Liverpool switched off defensively.
Milos Kerkez failed to track Llorente’s run as Julian Alvarez picked out the midfielder, who finished beyond Alisson to put the visitors ahead.
It continued an extraordinary individual record for Llorente at Anfield.
The Spaniard famously scored twice on Merseyside in March 2020 as Diego Simeone’s Atletico eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League, with Llorente later naming his dog “Anfield” in recognition of that memorable night.
Five of Llorente’s 10 Champions League goals have now been scored at Liverpool’s home ground.
The goal also continued an early trend under Iraola. Liverpool have now conceded first in three of their opening four competitive matches of the season.
While they have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to respond, it is an issue the new Liverpool manager will want to address as the campaign progresses.
Szoboszlai Restores Parity
Atletico had opportunities to extend their advantage, with Alisson forced into a good save to deny Alvarez from distance.
The Argentine forward was making his first Atletico start of the season after failing to secure his desired summer move to Barcelona and looked dangerous whenever the…
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