The ECHO's fan jury have their say after Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool celebrates at full time with Ronald Araujo of Liverpool following the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola and Ronald Araujo embrace after Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View Image
Liverpool got their latest Champions League campaign off to a winning start on Wednesday evening after coming from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield.
The victory marked Andoni Iraola's first-ever Champions League match with a win, giving the Spaniard the perfect start in Europe's elite knock-out competition.
There was also a home debut for Bradley Barcola and positive performances from a host of Liverpool stars, including Alexis Mac Allister, who revealed on Friday that he had not been offered a new contract with the club in an enlightening press conference.
But what did the Anfield faithful make of the result? The ECHO's Liverpool FC Fans' Jury have had their say.
Matthew Whitty
Liverpool spent years redefining what a full-back could be. Trent Alexander-Arnold could control games from the right with a passing range few possessed, while Andy Robertson gave us width and energy on the other side. At their peak, both were constant attacking problems before opponents had even dealt with Liverpool’s front three.
That made the change impossible to miss. Last season, with Trent gone and Robbo no longer at his peak, Liverpool lost much of that threat. At the same time, opponents increasingly targeted the spaces between centre-back and full-back. An area we once dominated had become one they wanted to exploit.
Ronald Araujo suggests the solution may not be to replace what we had.
He is a defender first. He looks comfortable doing the unfashionable bits, closing space, winning duels and refusing to be dragged out of position. In a side with so much creativity further forward, that solidity could give others more licence to attack.
Yet he is not merely a stopper. His beautifully flicked assist against Atletico showed a touch of attacking flair too.Maybe searching for another Trent was always impossible. Araújo offers something different, and for this Liverpool side that may be the better answer.
*FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page*
Rhys Buchanan
It's always a buzz being back at Anfield but there's something even better about the return of European nights. I couldn't think of a more fitting start to our Champions League campaign than another emotionally-charged showdown with Atleti.
After a reclined and somewhat flat start to proceedings, it didn't take long for the ground to erupt into life after some fiery encounters on the pitch. I was made up to get up and running with a hard-fought three points.
It speaks to our newfound character and fight that we weren't about to settle for anything less than a win after going behind early on. We need to carry that momentum forward into Saturday afternoon.
Fulham are never an easy proposition and the Reds simply can't afford to keep conceding first. As we saw against Ipswich, if Liverpool can take scoreboard advantage then I'm sure we'll play we a confidence and swagger! We've got the players to do it haven't we?
James Noble
Liverpool’s adaptability and perseverance were pleasingly prominent at Anfield on Wednesday within another of those stirring European nights. Andoni Iraola’s Champions League coaching debut saw he and his team adjust adeptly against an Atletico Madrid side who arrived with familiar nous and quality, as well as a tweaked set-up.
Alexis Mac Allister’s rasping winner capped another rounded personal display from the No.10. This was, in many respects, the healthiest of ways to follow his much-discussed pre-match comments expressing disappointment at not being offered a new contract.
Ronald Araujo’s shrewd assist was the highlight of his latest sterling right-back showing, meanwhile, with Bradley Barcola’s evident threat and quality boding well, too.
This pleasingly backed up last Friday’s satisfying first Premier League win of 2026/27 at Ipswich Town – achieved via a lightning start, and two excellent Cody Gakpo passes classily converted by the increasingly sharp-looking Alexander Isak.
Encouragingly, learnings and progress feel increasingly demonstrable, which will hopefully continue on Saturday. Fulham, led by a familiar face in Álvaro Arbeloa, don’t appear to be in a great place, but their personnel, alongside certain underlying numbers, hint at the menacing opposition they could provide.
Adaptability is again likely to be key in the coming days with quick turnarounds to Fulham and then Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup – which can bring further individual and collective opportunities.