Liverpool come from behind to beat Atletico Madrid in Champions League opener

The result keeps Liverpool unbeaten in home opening matches in the European Cup and Champions League. They have now won 11. Drawn two of their 13 such games.

Match highlight

Anfield had a record crowd for the match. Saw a fast open start. Alexander Isak fired wide within seconds while both teams looked willing to attack than settle into a cautious European contest.

Atletico struck first after 15 minutes. Julian Alvarez produced a pass for Marcos Llorente, who finished with the outside of his foot beyond Alisson Becker. It was Llorente’s fifth Champions League goal at Anfield, a return for a midfielder who has repeatedly caused Liverpool problems in this stadium.

Liverpool’s high defensive line was exposed again after. Alvarez raced forward on a counterattack. Would have doubled Atletico’s lead if Alisson had not made an important save.

The home side still carried a threat. Florian Wirtz tested Jan Oblak with a close-range volley although the move was eventually stopped for offside. That was a warning for Atletico, who were soon pushed back into their own half.

Bradley Barcola forced Oblak into a low save but Liverpool kept the pressure on. Ronald Araujo then found Dominik Szoboszlai and the Hungary midfielder finished calmly to bring Liverpool level before time.

Atletico came into the match having kept one clean sheet in their previous 18 Champions League games. They needed to defend better after the break if they were to leave Anfield with a result.

Liverpool should have taken the lead when Barcola found himself one-on-one with Oblak only to miss with the goal open. The visitors could not clear their lines for long though. In the move Alexis Mac Allister arrived in the right area and finished from close range to put Liverpool 2-1 ahead.

The tempo eased after the break as Liverpool took control of possession. Atletico pressed late for an equaliser. Liverpool stood firm. Substitute Jeremie Frimpong had a goal ruled out yet it did not change the outcome.

For Diego Simeone it was a start to his 14th consecutive Champions League campaign as Atletico manager. After season’s 3-2 defeat at Anfield Atletico have now lost two successive opening Champions League matches for the first time this century.

Liverpool meanwhile have won 18 of their 19 home group-stage or league-phase matches in European competition. Iraola could hardly have asked for a start to life, in the Champions League.