Liverpool kicked off their Champions League campaign with a home win over Atletico Madrid, with several positive individual performances earning the three points.
Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Champions League (1) | Anfield
September 9, 2026
Goals: Szoboszlai 40′, Mac Allister 50′; Llorente 17′
Opening goal exposed Liverpool’s ongoing issues
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Atlético Madrid's Marcos Llorente celebrates with team-mate Cristian Romero (L) after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Atlético Madrid's Marcos Llorente celebrates with team-mate Cristian Romero (L) after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This match started with a fizzle and a crack; Liverpool looked remarkable from the first whistle; but for all the probing, toying and quick passing, the Reds never managed to register a real scare for the opposition and were predictably sucker-punched on the break.
Marcos Llorente (God, this lad must love playing at Anfield) helped perfectly highlight what has been lacking in Liverpool’s football so far this season, namely a midfield misbalance combined with a high defensive line which isn’t entirely on board with what it needs to do.
Andoni Iraola’s men were dogged and determined going forward, a real taste for blood on the tongue but entirely discombobulated on the back foot.
As soon as Atletico turned over play and released through the second line of defence, chaos ensued.
Dominik Szoboszlai especially looked vulnerable tracking back, with the large pocket of space between the last man in midfield and the defensive lines at times bordering on criminal.
Return of intensity has its teething problems
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Atlético Madrid's Marcos Llorente scores the first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Atlético Madrid's Marcos Llorente scores the first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Everything in football is a trade-off to some degree. If you want changes, in playing style or personnel, expect something else to go wayward in the interim. It is how it works; nothing can click immediately all at once and reap 100 percent reward.
Lots of talk was made over the summer of the similarities between the football of Iraola and Liverpool’s sacred son, Jurgen Klopp.
Intensity is the identity, passion is in the pressing and every man is willing to sacrifice for the turnover, etc etc. It’s all very much correct, but it’s easy to get carried away with the star-sprinkled Hollywood version of things.
Whenever a philosophy is implemented or returned to use, as is the case for Liverpool, there have to be teething issues.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Reds are fairly often left wide open at the moment, and it’s something Atleti capitalised upon in bursts. A more robust opponent would have inflicted more damage on Liverpool.
It is easy to forget the early Klopp days, when matches were often high-scoring, breathless affairs that resembled basketball matches. Things only stabilised when everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet.
Granted, Iraola is starting his tenure with vastly better footballers than Klopp did during his early days in the dugout, but the principles remain the same.
The trade-off right now for Liverpool’s attacking dynamism is a vulnerable underbelly.
Bradley Barcola passes the eye test
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Starting the big-money Frenchman was the perfect call by Iraola here. The pace and creative fluency of a European fixture suited Barcola down to the ground and the new boy looked impressive, always willing to be involved.
It’s already apparent that the former PSG starlet is going to be Liverpool’s most potent weapon on counter attacks, with his touch and footwork each looking solid under the lights at Anfield.
Praise is very much due, but it wasn’t quite perfect. The elephant in the room was that Barcola should have been on the scoresheet, as he played expertly through one-on-one by Florian Wirtz and sent his effort fractionally around the wrong side of the post.
Alexis Mac Allister is proving a point
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Let’s face it, you can’t really commandeer a midweek press conference to publicly air your grievances about not getting a new contract and then put in a stinker of a performance.
Alexis Mac Allister made sure he wouldn’t be that guy.
The World Cup winner was the man who claimed the points here as he put in a solid performance all round.
Dynamic, physical and always searching for an incisive pass, his rattling of the Kop End netting only served to remind everyone of how well this lad can strike a ball.
There is still plenty for Mac Allister to learn in order for him to be the perfect midfield candidate for Iraola, but it feels like a matter of time before things click entirely.
Iraola is being brutal with his decisions early doors
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The manager was brave here, fielding an attacking and daring XI while challenging his players to go out and earn their shirt. It worked.
Young Rio Ngumoha grew into the game exceptionally after being trusted on the European stage, while Mac Allister stepped up and looked more of an Iraola midfielder.
The Liverpool boss once again stuck with his guns on dropping Ryan Gravenberch to the bench, while rewarding Ronald Araujo for his full-back exploits against Ipswich with another starting spot.
The former Barcelona captain put in a solid performance with a stunning assist to boot, and it should also be noted that Iraola made a point of bringing on Jeremie Frimpong as a winger rather than defensive back up.
There is a feeling that the manager will only give out so many chances before rotating his team entirely.
Everyone seems to be on board with this and it can only be a good thing for Liverpool going forward.
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v Atlético Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola (L) is greeted by his head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v Atlético Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool players form a pre-match huddle before before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Back row (L-R) goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Bradley Barcola, Jeremy Jacquet, captain Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak. Front row (L-R): Ronald Araújo, Rio Ngumoha, Alexis Mac Allister, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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