Liverpool fight back to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Champions League opener

Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring the winner after Dominik Szoboszlai had levelled before half-time.

Atletico took an early lead when Julian Alvarez split the Liverpool defence with a pass to Marcos Llorente, who raced through and found the net. It was Llorente's fifth goal in three visits to Anfield with Atletico.

Liverpool started brightly, with Alexander Isak firing narrowly wide after a move led by Szoboszlai. But their attacking approach also left them vulnerable to Atletico's counterattacks.

Alisson Becker kept Liverpool in the game with a fine long-range save to deny Alvarez as Atletico threatened to double their advantage.

Liverpool new signing Bradley Barcola had two opportunities to score on his Anfield debut. The French winger was denied by Jan Oblak after being played through, before Liverpool continued to press.

The hosts equalised in the 40th minute when Ronald Araujo's flick fell to Szoboszlai, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner.

Barcola missed another opportunity early in the second half after Florian Wirtz sent him through, with the winger shooting wide.

Mac Allister then completed Liverpool's comeback with a strike from outside the box on his weaker left foot. The Argentina international had expressed frustration on the eve of the match over not being offered a new contract by Liverpool.

Mac Allister had also been linked with a move to Atletico during the transfer window, while Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have agreed new deals with Liverpool in recent months.

Liverpool's victory came at a cost, however, as Barcola pulled up holding his calf before the hour mark.

Atletico created few clear chances in the second half. Alvarez fired straight at Alisson, while Robin Le Normand produced a last-ditch challenge to prevent Isak from scoring a third.

The victory gave head coach Andoni Iraola a winning start in his first Champions League match.

Szoboszlai was named player of the match and described the contest as closely fought.

"I am very happy to be back; these nights are always special, and after a setback we came back in a good game," he told TNT Sports.

"It was ups and downs all the time. They are a good team; I think we have quite a good team as well. It was a 50/51."