Liverpool picked up their first three points of the Champions League campaign with a 2–1 comeback victory over Atlético Madrid.
Andoni Iraola’s side went a goal behind inside 17 minutes, with Marcos Llorente making a diagonal run across Milos Kerkez before finishing past Alisson in goal. It was Llorente’s fifth Champions League goal against Liverpool, continuing his impressive record against the Reds.
Goals from midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister helped drive another spirited comeback under the Anfield lights. Szoboszlai levelled the game before half-time, while Mac Allister completed the turnaround early in the second half with a powerful strike.
New signing Bradley Barcola made his first start for Liverpool and put in a very lively performance. The Frenchman got himself into some great goalscoring positions but just couldn’t find the back of the net.
The victory also saw new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola claim his first Champions League victory for the club. The Basque manager looked very pleased after the final whistle, praising his team’s character as they came from behind to secure all three points.
"I really enjoyed it. There is a part where you are in charge of the game and you cannot think too much about the atmosphere. But especially after the 2-1, we've had very good minutes there and we've had a couple of chances. We were pushing and you can feel the atmosphere in the stadium. Even in moments at the end where obviously they are attacking a little bit and you have to defend and players are tired. The people have helped us a lot and I'm very thankful."
"I'm happy today because we faced a very tough situation starting the game conceding the first goal, not having the plan very clear in terms of they changed some things. I think we've corrected quite well live, and this experience will help us for the next time. We don't have three years of experience where you can say, 'You remember this one?' Then you correct things."
"Here now you have to talk with a lot of players, you have to correct and to get results. To go in behind win the game. I think it's in four games, three times that we've come back somehow. I think it shows that players are pushing, they are showing character and now it's a matter of getting everything cleaner and sharper."
The Liverpool manager also took a moment to recognise his own mistakes from the begining of the game, with the Spanish opposition setting up differently than expected.
"Yes, I think today I have to blame myself a little bit for the start of the game. I think Atletico has used a structure that they haven't used before this season and it has cost us a little bit to match up properly. I think until we conceded the goal and we've had a couple of minutes where we've adjusted things and [then] we match up much better. It was the moment where we started playing better."
"Obviously after half-time, you have more time, everything was better set. In the second half I think we were the best team. I think the team and the players have shown big character - big character. Also, the crowd has helped us massively in the second half. You know, in these kinds of nights you are there doing your job, but you also can enjoy it."
It was a really impressive display from Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, scoring the winning goal and putting in a very solid midfield performance.
After a disappointing season last year by his standards, it felt like a very big season for the Liverpool No. 10. The change of manager may have brought a new lease of life to the former Brighton man’s game.
With comments earlier in the week revealing his disappointment at not being offered a new contract by the club last season, Mac Allister backed up his words with a stellar performance. His winning goal was the perfect response, and could be the start of a big season for the 27-year-old.
"Yeah, lovely goal from Alexis, lovely from Dom Szoboszlai. I think it's good also that midfielders can add goals because we have midfielders that naturally are going to arrive to the box. Sometimes we are talking about the structure - keep your position - but it's inside them [to do it] for Ryan Gravenberch, from Dom Szoboszlai and for Alexis Mac Allister. It's good that we can also benefit offensively from those situations where they arrive to the box."
It has been a great start to life on Merseyside for Ronald Araujo, with the Uruguayan defender playing a key role in Szoboszlai’s equaliser for the Reds.
Starting at right-back for the second game running, Araujo is showing why the club saw his versatility as such a huge asset going into the season. Brought in primarily for his defensive contributions, the Barcelona loanee is showing that there is more to his game than meets the eye.
His involvement in the equaliser was another example of the quality he can offer going forward, proving that his impact doesn’t have to be limited to his defensive work.
" I think he's been very, very good. The other day [against Ipswich Town] and he has been, I would say, even better today. I think he's defending really well his side, but also sometimes because he's a centre-back we underrate his offensive side. Today he gives a great assist to Dom Szoboszlai"
"He's made a couple of very good serves from his position and I'm very happy with him. Very happy. He's come with the willingness to show that he belongs to this level, and I hope we can keep him there because he's in a lovely place."
Fitness Update...
There was some concern for Liverpool fans during the game, with Bradley Barcola having to come off on his full debut after picking up what initially looked like a knock.
With the forward only just getting started to life in Liverpool, an early injury would have been a very unfortunate setback for the new £123 million man. Thankfully, the boss confirmed that there was no need for concern over Barcola’s fitness, with his substitution instead being down to cramp.
The winger having had little to no pre-season, it should not come as a massive surprise that the former PSG man’s fitness is a little behind the rest of the squad. Hopefully, the issue is nothing more than a minor setback as Barcola continues to get up to speed with his new club.
"No, it is cramp. It is just cramp, there is no injury."
"With Bradley, it's about building his physical condition. We don't really know - or we didn't know until now, probably - how much he can play because he hasn't had any minutes in pre-season for PSG."
"He played 30 the other day and today we had some question marks, how many minutes he can give us and probably now we know."
"I'm very happy because also he has had two very clear chances against the 'keeper. He hasn't scored, but I want him there."
"There is where he has to make the difference, arriving to those spots, those positions, and I'm very happy because in - I don't know how many minutes he's played - two times against the 'keeper is a good sign with Bradley."
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