TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Liverpool staged a comeback to win 2-1 against Atletico Madrid in the opening matchday of the 2026/27 Champions League league phase at Anfield on Thursday morning, Western Indonesian Time (WIB).
The Reds secured the win after initially falling behind to a goal from Marcos Llorente, before strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister turned the match around.
This result gives Liverpool three points and places them ninth in the provisional Champions League standings, while Atletico Madrid sit in 28th place, according to UEFA's official website.
The match was an open affair from the very first minute. Liverpool created an immediate chance just one minute in; Alexander Isak fired a low shot, but the ball went wide of the Atletico goal.
Atletico responded through Julian Alvarez, but the Argentine forward's low shot was saved by Alisson Becker.
Atletico finally broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Following a through-ball from Alvarez, Llorente beat Liverpool's offside trap.
He then drove the ball into the penalty area before unleashing a shot that Alisson could not stop, giving Atletico a 1-0 lead.
Liverpool tried to increase the pressure after falling behind, but Atletico managed to pose counter-threats on several occasions. In the 27th minute, Alisson made another crucial save to deny Alvarez.
Liverpool's pressure finally paid off just before halftime. In the 40th minute, Szoboszlai equalized with a low shot after receiving a backheel pass from Araujo inside the penalty area.
The goal was checked by VAR due to a potential offside; after the review, the goal stood, bringing the score to 1-1. That scoreline remained unchanged heading into the break.
Neither team made substitutions at the start of the second half. Liverpool immediately ramped up their attacking intensity and needed only five minutes to take the lead.
In the 50th minute, a clearance by an Atletico defender fell to Mac Allister. The Argentine midfielder unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area that rocketed past Jan Oblak, putting Liverpool ahead 2-1.
Atletico refused to give up and tried to respond by increasing the pressure. This opened up the game, with both teams trading attacks.
Alvarez had another chance in the 69th minute, but his shot went straight into Alisson's arms, failing to change the scoreline.
Atletico then bolstered their attack by bringing on Ademola Lookman, Jonathan David, and Morten Hjulmand. Los Rojiblancos continued to push for an equalizer.
Liverpool also created several chances on the counter-attack, but no further goals were scored by the time normal time and stoppage time concluded.
Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid.
Line-ups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Araujo; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Isak.
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Hancko, Romero, Pubill, Llorente; Baena, Koke, Barrios, G. Simeone; Kang-In, Alvarez.
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