Liverpool 2-1 Atlético Madrid - Champions League Match Report & Player Ratings

Magnificent Macca the Atlético Slayer

Liverpool came from behind against Atlético Madrid, under the Anfield lights, as goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister secured all three points for the Reds on Champions League opening night.

Atlético Madrid stole the lead through Marcos Llorente, who once again scored at Anfield...

Only one player has more goals against Liverpool at Anfield for Premier League clubs in all competitions (Andy Cole, 8) than Marcos Llorente has there for Atlético Madrid (5).

Llorente has never played in the Premier League.

— Michael Reid (@michael_reid11) September 9, 2026

His goals to game ratio is that good, some fans were left wondering why Liverpool don't just sign the bloke.

Why have we never signed Marcos Llorente? He’d beat Messi’s calendar year record if he played at Anfield every other week

— Sean (@SeanDOlfc) September 9, 2026

Liverpool equalised through Szoboszlai shortly before the interval after a genius flick assist from Ronald Araújo.

It didn't take long for the six-time European Champions to take the lead after half-time, as Mac Allister fired home at the Kop end to give Liverpool a winning start to their 2026/27 European campaign.

First Half

The visitors lined up in a 4-4-2, with Liverpool remaining in their ever-present 4-2-3-1.

The Reds looked to make a quick start as Szoboszlai carried the ball far up the pitch to find Isak, with the striker's low shot going wide of the left goalpost.

Atlético's first chance fell the way of Julián Alvarez who, after skipping two challenges on the edge of the 18-yard box, curled a tame shot straight into the gloves of Alisson.

Atlético took the lead on 17 minutes. Alvarez drove with the ball past Szoboszlai before executing a fine defence-splitting pass to Marcos Llorente. The Spaniard ran onto the ball 1v1 with Alisson before lifting it over the Brazilian with his left foot.

Marcos Llorente in the UEFA Champions League

vs Liverpool: 5 goals in 5 games, scoring 83% of shots.
vs everyone else: 5 goals in 54 games, scoring 11% of shots.

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 9, 2026

Inquiries went on as to how Alvarez had that much space and why Llorente was so far onside.

The Anfield faithful were left frustrated on multiple occasions as they felt the Atlético players were going to ground a bit too softly, much to the disagreement of Italian referee Davide Massa.

Alisson denied Alvarez from range with a brilliant save, tipping the Argentine's right-footed shot around the post.

Liverpool's best chance fell the way of Florian Wirtz after a 40-yard carry from Barcola, who switched play to Isak wide left. The Swede delivered an inviting ball to Wirtz, who's first time shot was saved by Jan Oblak. Isak was judged to have been offside in the build-up.

Liverpool struck level five minutes before the break. An attack sparked by Kerkez ended up with Barcola, whose shot was saved by the feet of Oblak. The Reds recycled possession in and around the Atlético box, and Araújo flicked the ball in the path of Szoboszlai. The Hungarian took one touch before passing the ball into the bottom-left corner with ease.

Szoboszlai slots home after a brilliant flick from Araujo! 🔥

📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/UrHQTwtgsY

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 9, 2026

Second Half

Barcola skewed a huge chance wide of the post a few minutes after the restart after a swift transition in which the Frenchman combined well with Wirtz and was put through on goal by the German.

One minute later Liverpool went 2-1 up. Brilliant work on the left from Ngumoha, who left Llorente for dead; the ball rickashaded in the Atlético box before falling to the feet of Mac Allister on the edge. The midfielder hit a pure first-time left-footed strike into the bottom-left corner. Oblak had no chance.

Mac Allister FIRES Liverpool into the lead at Anfield! 🔥

📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/KGOvuAEU4W

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 9, 2026

Alvarez had another tame shot saved by Alisson on the edge of the box after good work for substitute Alejandro Grimaldo.

A great intervention from Le Normand prevented Isak from sealing the game for Liverpool, blocking his attempt from around 10-yards out.

A Grimaldo corner found the head of Atlético defender Hancko who headed narrowly over from an acute angle.

Liverpool thought they had added a third through Frimpong in the 89th minute. Good work from Muñoz created an opening for his shot, which Oblak parried, with the rebound falling to the full-back. He slotted home, although he was unfortunately offside when the save fell into his path.

Man of the Match - Alexis Mac Allister

The Argentine was Liverpool's most composed and trustworthy midfielder against Atlético and with his comments in the presser on Tuesday, it felt as if he was playing with a point to prove.

🗣️ "There were options to leave, but I'm at the right club."

Alexis Mac Allister admits he could have left Liverpool over the summer transfer window. pic.twitter.com/nCSwPySAcf

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 8, 2026

New contract awaits?

Bad Day at the Office

Ryan Gravenberch when he came on, was very lax in possession and dispossessed on a few occasions. The Dutchman looks like he could use some love right now.

Milos Kerkez had a mixed bag also.

Player Ratings

Alisson Becker - 7/10: Once again steady in goal. A few nice saves to deny Julián Alvarez on a couple of occasions. Not much the Brazilian could've done for the goal.

Ronald Araújo - 7/10: Pretty much the perfect performance from the Uruguayan in relation to what is asked from him. Dealt with all aerials on his side, tidy enough on the ball and capped his performance off with an outrageous flicked assist for the leveler.

Jérémy Jacquet - 7/10: Looked very composed, much better than his Ipswich performance. It's early days still but he's looking very much an upgrade on Liverpool's previous French right centre-back.

Virgil Van Dijk - 7/10: Like the other two, a faultless display from the captain who certainly had his work cut out due to the erratic nature of Kerkez (particularly for the Atleti goal). No signs of the Dutchman regressing.

Milos Kerkez - 6/10: Improved in the second half, although I'll say it again, felt as if he was very erratic, particularly when he gets to the final third. Credit where credit is due for his involvement in the first goal.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 7/10: From what I've seen, some people's man of the match, although I have my reservations, as he doesn't always carry out what you'd expect a midfielder in a double pivot to do. I will say though, his ability to always make an impact on the score is a great attribute to have.

Alexis Mac Allister - 8/10: Arguably Liverpool's best player on the night and not just for the winning goal. He looked invigorated last night, a stark contrast to the Macca we were given last season. Looked stronger in the tackles and progressed the ball well. His best performance in forever.

Florian Wirtz - 7/10: The connector. Wirtz ties the side nicely together and he benefited from the runs in behind of Barcola which freed him up a lot more. Worked hard to win the ball back. Could've left Anfield with a couple of assists tonight.

Bradley Barcola - 6/10: Played the game on the right to accommodate Rio, and the Frenchman should've done better with some of the chances he was given, and that's the reason he's marked down slightly. His threat in behind, nevertheless, is a wonderful addition.

Rio Ngumoha - 6/10: Struggled in the first half to create separation as the ball was given to him with about three Atleti players on his back. Did well for the winner though, chopping the ball past Llorente which created the opening. Valuable experience for the youngster.

Alexander Isak - 7/10: Didn't manage to get on the score sheet, but the Swede was much more involved in Liverpool's overall play, putting himself about more than usual. Solid blocks to build upon, and no doubt more goals will follow.

Substitutes

Jeremie Frimpong - 5/10: Scored a goal at the end but was offside. Not too bad, but nothing special at the same time.

Víctor Muñoz - 5/10: Same for Muñoz; showed some raw moments where he can improve. Was involved in the build-up to Frimpong's disallowed goal where he did well to create an opening.

Ryan Gravenberch - 4/10: Liverpool's poorest player on the night. Third match in a row the Dutch midfielder has come off the bench. It felt as if that had something to do with how lax he was in possession.

Kostas Tsimikas - N/A

Lewis Koumas - N/A

Next Up for Liverpool

Liverpool play host to Fulham at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, in what will be their second of three consecutive home games in the space of a week.

Manager Iraola will be looking to continue the winning form off the back of the last two games, and with the reported Fulham dressing room disarray, the Reds will be hoping they can use it to their advantage.