Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield

Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield in the opening round of the Champions League league phase.

Marcos Llorente put Atletico ahead, finishing a move started by Alvarez. Liverpool drew level before half-time through Dominik Szoboszlai, who pounced on a rebound after a chance created by Bradley Barcola, then went in front early in the second half when Alexis Mac Allister struck from a loose ball inside the box.

Barcola, signed for a substantial fee on transfer deadline day, had three clear sights of goal against Jan Oblak and failed to convert any of them before going off after 60 minutes.

Diego Simeone's side opened their campaign with an away defeat by a single goal for the second season running, having led at Anfield before conceding twice. Their next fixture brings another English side, Manchester United, on 13 October. Liverpool travel to face LASK on 14 October.

Llorente's goal came days after he announced his retirement from the Spain national team, closing out an international career of 27 caps. At club level, Szoboszlai has scored 27 goals for Liverpool since joining in September 2023, while Mac Allister has 19 since arriving in August 2023.

A perfect start for the league phase now looks within reach for Liverpool, while Atletico head into a run of matches against English opposition already needing to find a response.