Liverpool Come From Behind To Beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 In Champions League Opener
 |
| Liverpool Vs Atletico |
Liverpool fought back from a Llorente goal to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield. Szoboszlai and Mac Allister scored as Iraola won his first UCL game.
Reds fight back to begin Champions League with win. Iraola starts UCL reign with win as Liverpool beat Atletico 2-1 at Anfield...
Andoni Iraola marked his Champions League managerial debut with a win as Liverpool fought back to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1. The result means Liverpool remain unbeaten in their opening European Cup/UCL game at Anfield 11 wins and 2 draws.
A record Anfield crowd saw a frantic start in the second straight UCL opener between these clubs. Alexander Isak dragged an effort wide within seconds of kick-off.
It stayed open and end-to-end for the next 15 minutes before Atletico silenced the stadium. Julian Alvarez slipped Marcos Llorente in behind and the midfielder lifted a side-foot finish over Alisson Becker. It was Llorente’s fifth Champions League goal at Anfield.
Liverpool’s high line was being picked apart, and only a strong save from Alisson prevented Alvarez from making it 2-0 after a quick Atletico break.
For all their defensive issues, Liverpool still carried a threat. Florian Wirtz forced Jan Oblak into a close-range half-volley save, though the flag was already up for offside.
That chance should have been a warning for Atletico, who were pegged back soon after. Jan Oblak did well to keep out Bradley Barcola’s low strike, but Liverpool kept coming. Atletico failed to clear and Ronald Araujo flicked the ball into the path of Dominik Szoboszlai, who calmly slotted home to equalize just before half-time.
Having failed to keep a clean sheet for the 17th time in their last 18 UCL matches, Los Rojiblancos had work to do if they were to come away with all three points.
Yet any aspirations of a first-ever win over an English side in the UCL group/league phase were dealt a significant blow shortly after the restart.
Barcola should have been the man to do it when he found himself one-on-one with Oblak, only to sweep wide of the target with the goal at his mercy, but in the next play, the ball fell kindly for Alexis Mac Allister to rifle home from the edge of the box.
The frantic pace of the first half eased as the game went on, and with Liverpool in front they were able to take control.
Liverpool come from behind to win at Anfield 🔴#UCL pic.twitter.com/AGGUZ3Jwx2
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 9, 2026
Atletico pressed for a late equalizer, but Liverpool held firm. Jeremie Frimpong thought he had added a third late on, but it was ruled out for offside, and the Reds did enough to see out a 2-1 win.
Diego Simeone’s 14th straight Champions League campaign as Atletico boss has started poorly. After last season’s 3-2 loss at Anfield, this is the first time in the 21st century that Atletico have lost back-to-back UCL openers. Their record in opening games now reads 7 wins, 5 draws and 4 defeats.
Smiley Szoboszlai selfie 😁🏆#UCL pic.twitter.com/elINoYjpkR
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 9, 2026
In contrast, Iraola will be delighted. It was Liverpool’s 18th win in their last 19 home European group/league phase matches, with just 1 defeat
No comments:
Leave comment here