Alexis Mac Allister scored a superb 20-yard strike to help Liverpool come from behind and beat Atlético Madrid in their opening Champions League group-phase fixture at Anfield, giving new head coach Andoni Iraola a winning start to his European campaign with the club. The midfielder, reportedly unhappy after being denied a contract extension while teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were handed new deals, channelled his frustration into a decisive performance, extending Diego Simeone's winless run against English sides in the competition's group stage to 11 matches.

Atlético took the lead through Marcos Llorente, who profited from a loose Liverpool pass to score his fifth goal at Anfield, having also famously struck twice there in 2020. Liverpool responded through a swift move involving Milos Kerkez, Ronald Araújo and Szoboszlai before Mac Allister's winner sealed the comeback. The night featured several notable milestones: Iraola's first Champions League match in charge, Bradley Barcola's first Liverpool start since his £106m move from Paris Saint-Germain, and Julián Alvarez's first Atlético start of the season following his failed move to Barcelona.