Liverpool edges Atletico Madrid in Champions League opener
Alexis Mac Allister delivered a decisive response to his contract frustrations by scoring a spectacular winner as Liverpool triumphed over Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their Champions League opener at Anfield. The match took place on Wednesday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The Argentine midfielder made headlines just a day earlier by candidly expressing his disappointment over the lack of a new contract from the club during the summer window. Despite being under contract with Liverpool until 2028, the 27-year-old let his performance speak for him on the pitch.
Mac Allister’s thunderous left-footed strike from the edge of the area flew past Jan Oblak, sealing Liverpool’s victory and marking both Andoni Iraola’s first home win as Liverpool manager and his initial success in European competition.
Atletico Madrid took an early lead through Marcos Llorente, who continued his impressive history at Anfield. The Spaniard has scored five of his ten Champions League goals at Liverpool’s home ground, having previously celebrated a brace there in 2020. Milos Kerkez lost track of Llorente as he connected with a pass from Julian Alvarez, who was making his first start of the season after a failed summer transfer to Barcelona.
Despite a long-range effort from Alvarez that was saved by Alisson, Liverpool equalised just before the half-time mark. Kerkez redeemed himself by winning back possession, allowing Ronald Araujo to set up Dominik Szoboszlai with a clever back-heel, leading to a composed finish.
French striker Bradley Barcola made his first start for Liverpool following his £123m transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, offering flashes of skill with his movement and touches. However, he missed a prime opportunity early in the second half, firing wide when well positioned in front of the Kop. His error proved inconsequential as, moments later, Mac Allister capitalised on a loose ball and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the net, with Alexander Isak credited with the assist.
Concerns briefly arose for Liverpool when Barcola collapsed on the pitch without any contact around the hour mark, but the injury was not deemed serious, and he was replaced by Victor Munoz. Under Iraola, Liverpool have gone four matches without defeat, although they have regularly fallen behind, conceding the opening goal in three of those fixtures, including both Premier League draws.
Virgil van Dijk expressed visible frustration towards Kerkez following the latter’s lapse leading to Atletico’s opening goal, but the Dutch defender himself excelled defensively. Florian Wirtz posed a consistent threat, forcing Oblak into a save and creating opportunities, while Araujo impressed at right-back after a strong performance against Ipswich. Notably, the 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha began on the left flank but struggled defensively against Llorente.
Liverpool’s next Champions League encounter will take place on 14 October, where they will face Austrian club LASK.
As Liverpool builds momentum in the tournament, the pressing questions around contract negotiations continue to loom large, underscoring the delicate balance between individual aspirations and collective success.
