Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola took the blame for the Reds' difficult Champions League start against Atletico Madrid after his side recovered from an early yellow card to win 2-1 at Anfield
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola speaks to the media
Andoni Iraola took the blame for Liverpool's slow start against Atletico Madrid before earning a Champions League victory(Image: TNT Sports)
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola walked into Anfield fully confident and expecting Atletico Madrid to roll out a formation consistent with its previous fixtures this season, but the La Liga club surprisingly switched things up to cause a scare before Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League win.
Atletico Madrid deployed a 5-3-2 formation for a rare curveball after weeks of sticking to a back four. The night got trickier when Alexis Mac Allister saw yellow for a late challenge on Lee Kang-In in the 28th minute.
Liverpool’s prep work suddenly looked redundant and Marcos Llorente made them pay after slipping through the cracks to put Atletico in front after just 17 minutes.
Iraola admitted the opening mess was entirely on him after speaking to TNT Sports post-match. "I think I have to take the blame from the beginning because they surprised me a little bit tactically, he said.
"We expected something different and waited to correct it," he added. Iraola later explained that Liverpool adjusted their approach and became much more aggressive after the break.
Atletico has largely used a 4-4-2 this season. They lined up that way against Athletic Club, Sevilla and Villarreal during La Liga matches this season and used a 4-1-4-1 in the opener against Malaga.
Alexis Mac Allister reacts after receiving a yellow card
Mac Allister scored the game-winning goal while on a yellow card
The adjustment worked nearly immediately after Dominik Szoboszlai equalized in the 40th minute after Ronald Araujo's flick that opened a pocket in Atletico's packed defense.
Mac Allister completed the job quickly after the restart. Alexander Isak's touch fell into his path near the edge of the box, and the Argentina midfielder placed a perfect low finish beyond Jan Oblak for the 2-1 lead.
Iraola also praised Mac Allister's game management after the early yellow card. The Reds boss mimicked his approach after leaving Jeremy Jacquet on the pitch after his yellow card against Ipswich.
Alexis Mac Allister scores Liverpool's second goal
Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield
Iraola called the first booking "very cheap" and said Atletico were putting pressure on the officials in search of another, but credited the midfielder for staying composed enough to survive the attempt.
Liverpool controlled the key stretch after halftime and finished with 14 shots to Atletico's nine. The 2-1 result gave Iraola a winning Champions League managerial debut and continued Liverpool's recent form against the Spanish club.
The Reds have now beaten Atletico in four consecutive meetings, and all in early phases of the tournament. The win also marked the first time Iraola had beaten a side managed by Simeone.