Mac Allister answers contract questions with stunning winner as Liverpool beat Atletico 2-1

Liverpool opened their pursuit of a seventh European Cup with a hard-fought comeback against Atletico Madrid at Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai levelled after Marcos Llorente had fired the visitors ahead, before Alexis Mac Allister settled the contest with an unstoppable strike from 20 yards. Andoni Iraola's first Champions League night as Liverpool manager brought a win, plenty of character and a warning about a familiar defensive habit.

• Alexis Mac Allister scored a spectacular left-footed winner a day after revealing his disappointment over the club's lack of a contract offer.
• Dominik Szoboszlai equalised with a low shot into the far corner following a backheel from Ronald Araujo.
• Marcos Llorente put Atletico ahead thanks to a Julian Alvarez pass and has now scored half of his Champions League goals on Merseyside.
• Liverpool conceded first for the third time in four matches this season.
• Bradley Barcola missed two clear chances on his first start since his big-money move.

What the Champions League opener means for Liverpool under Iraola

Iraola has taken over a side that finished first and third in the league phase during the previous two campaigns under Arne Slot. Opening the new European season with a win against last year's semi-finalists sends a strong message about the team's ambitions. The result also gives the Basque coach breathing room in a congested fixture list and confirms that Anfield remains a difficult place for any opponent.

Mac Allister turns contract frustration into a decisive goal

The Argentine arrived at the game after a difficult few hours. He had gone public with his sadness after learning that Liverpool were not in a position to offer him a new deal. His response on the pitch was emphatic: a ferocious shot with his weaker left foot that flew in from around 20 yards. That kind of technique is exactly what makes him such a valuable player for the club.

Mac Allister is building a reputation as a tormentor of Madrid clubs. He scored against Real Madrid in both 2024 and 2025, and now Atletico in 2026. The Anfield crowd chanted his name as he was substituted, making it clear where their sympathies lie in any contract stand-off.

Szoboszlai and the midfield rescue a difficult night

The Hungarian was Liverpool's standout performer in last season's Champions League, with five goals and four assists, and he offered another reminder of his quality. His low drive into the far corner came seconds after Jan Oblak denied Barcola and followed a clever backheel from Ronald Araujo. The goal carried extra meaning for Szoboszlai, who had been partly at fault for Atletico's opener.

Liverpool's midfield was often outnumbered against Simeone's shape, yet both goals came from that department. The equaliser started with Milos Kerkez pressing high to win the ball from Kang-in Lee, a sequence that perfectly captures the vertical, aggressive approach Iraola wants from his side.

The worrying defensive trend Liverpool cannot shake off

The Reds fell behind yet again, something that has now happened in three of their first four matches of the season. Iraola's high defensive line left space in behind, and the left side struggled badly, with Kerkez caught out for the Atletico goal. Julian Alvarez slid a perfectly weighted pass through and Llorente finished with composure.

Iraola accepted responsibility for the opening stages. The coach admitted he did not anticipate Simeone's 3-5-2 and that his team failed to track the wing-backs. Even so, he praised the reaction and the atmosphere. "I loved it. The atmosphere has been incredible. We have shown big character," he said.

Marcos Llorente remains the unlikely Anfield specialist

The Atletico midfielder has a strange bond with Liverpool's home ground. He has scored ten Champions League goals and, remarkably, half of them have come on Merseyside. After a double in 2020 and another last year, he added a fifth here. It is easy to see why he once named his dog "Anfield".

His goal was set up by Julian Alvarez, who was making his first start after a summer dominated by speculation over his future. The Argentine produced a defence-splitting pass and later forced a fine save from Alisson with a long-range effort. "Julian was fantastic. He wanted the ball from minute one to minute 90," said Simeone.

Atletico fade after the break and Simeone rues costly errors

The Spanish side were the better team for the first 45 minutes but once again struggled after half-time. "In the first half we played well and in the second we didn't, and then you start to commit errors and mistakes and all the effort you put in is just an anecdote," Simeone said. The defeat does not derail their campaign: they lost at Anfield last September and still reached the semi-finals.

Barcola's first start and a historic lineup moment

Bradley Barcola made his first start since completing his big-money move, operating on the right wing in the role Mohamed Salah occupied for so long. The Frenchman had two clear openings, most notably early in the second half when Florian Wirtz sent him through on goal, but his finish rolled wide. Iraola refused to dwell on the misses: "He has had two very clear chances against the keeper. He didn't score, but I want him there."

The game also produced a notable first: three £100m players on the pitch together for Liverpool. In one move involving all three, Wirtz forced a save from Oblak, though the pass from Alexander Isak was ruled offside. The Swede had already signalled Liverpool's attacking intent with a shot after just 16 seconds.