Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield on Wednesday night and make a winning start to their Champions League campaign.
Marcos Llorente gave Atletico an early lead before Dominik Szoboszlai equalised five minutes before half-time. Alexis Mac Allister then completed Liverpool’s comeback five minutes into the second half with his 20th goal for the club.
Atletico made the brighter start and threatened Liverpool’s defence on several occasions before taking the lead in the 17th minute.
Julian Alvarez found Llorente with a pass through the middle, allowing the midfielder to escape Milos Kerkez before lifting a left-footed effort over Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and into the net.
Alvarez almost doubled Atletico’s advantage 10 minutes later, but Alisson produced an important save to keep Liverpool within touching distance.
Liverpool struggled to create clear openings but eventually found a way through in the 40th minute.
Kerkez helped launch the move before Bradley Barcola’s effort was saved by Jan Oblak. Liverpool retained possession inside the Atletico penalty area, with Ronald Araujo eventually flicking the ball into the path of Szoboszlai.
The Hungary international took control before calmly guiding a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner to restore parity.
Liverpool emerged strongly after the interval and completed the turnaround just five minutes into the second half.
Alexander Isak inadvertently helped the ball into Mac Allister’s path inside the Atletico penalty area, and the Argentine made no mistake, firing a left-footed effort from the edge of the box beyond Oblak and into the bottom-left corner.
The goal marked Mac Allister’s 20th for Liverpool and put Arne Slot’s side in front for the first time.
Atletico refused to surrender and Alvarez had another opportunity from the edge of the box, but his effort was straight at Alisson.
Liverpool then came close to extending their lead when Isak fired from around 10 yards, only for substitute Robin Le Normand to throw himself in front of the effort and make a crucial block.
The visitors continued to push for an equaliser as the match entered its closing stages. Hancko headed over from a tight angle following a corner, while Oblak was forced into another save in the 89th minute to deny Munoz.
Liverpool appeared to have put the result beyond doubt moments later when Frimpong turned the ball into the net from close range, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Atletico could not find the late equaliser, however, as Liverpool held on for a 2-1 victory.
The comeback gives Liverpool three valuable points from their opening Champions League fixture and underlines their ability to recover from setbacks on a big European night at Anfield.
