REUTERS/Phil Noble
Andoni Iraola got his UEFA Champions League career off to a winning start as Liverpool came from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid.
Marcos Llorente scored his fifth goal at Anfield to open the scoring for Diego Simeone's side in the first half. Shortly before the break, the home side were level as Ronald Araujo found Dominik Szoboszlai with a flick inside the box. The Hungarian dispatched past Jan Oblak.
Liverpool's Bradley Barcola looks on before Atletico Madrid
Liverpool's Bradley Barcola looks on before Atletico Madrid
In an even game that could've swung either way, the Anfield crowd were delighted to see Alexis Mac Allister smash in a left-footed effort. That would turn out to be the winning goal, despite the Spanish giants' best efforts.
Spanish Press Unhappy With Liverpool vs Atletico
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Despite claiming all three points, Liverpool still resembled a team finding their feet under a new coach. The press in Spain was quick to note that the Reds aren't the same daunting prospect in Europe that they once were.
Marca even labelled the English giants 'significantly weaker', writing: "A Liverpool side that was significantly weaker than the ones we've seen in recent years proved sufficient to nullify Marcos's traditional goal at his favourite stadium."
The outlet wasn't much more complimentary when it came to Szoboszlai's equaliser, adding: "It wasn't that Liverpool had done much to deserve it; perhaps Atletico had done more to throw away their lead."
According to Marca, the result was more down to Ateltico becoming disjointed, rather than Iraola's side's quality: "Between one thing and another, the game lost whatever rhythm it had. And that suited Liverpool just fine, benefiting from the constant changes in an Atletico side that was becoming increasingly disjointed from the bench, as the minutes and the result slipped away. Llorente was there, yes, but much more is needed."
Dominik Szoboszlai Accusation Made
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Iraola's team were accused of 'severe roughness' during the match by Mundo Deportivo columnist Walter Zimmermann. The journalist claimed that Liverpool players were going too hard on Atletico's Lee Kang-in.
He noted a 'studs-up' challenge by Alexis Mac Allister on the South Korean, before Virgil van Dijk's tackle from behind on the same player. The strongest accusation he made, however, was that Szoboszlai had 'punched' Lee in the face.
"Something similar happened a few minutes later when Szoboszlai first made a hard tackle, and then punched him in the face," Zimmermann wrote.
Liverpool's next Champions League fixture will see them travel to Austrian club LASK. Meanwhile, Simeone and Atletico will welcome Manchester United to the Metropolitano.