Thumping Mac Allister strike gives Liverpool winning start against Atletico Madrid
Alexis Mac Allister delivered a stunning long range winner to hand Andoni Iraola the perfect start to his Champions League career, as Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield on Wednesday, September 9.
The Argentine's thumping left footed strike arrived just 24 hours after he had told reporters he felt "very sad" over Liverpool's decision not to offer him a new contract this summer, despite extensions being handed to fellow midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Atletico had made the brighter start, exploiting gaps in behind Liverpool's high defensive line inside the opening half hour. Marcos Llorente broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, latching onto a pass from Julian Alvarez, who had been afforded far too much space and time through the middle, before slotting past Alisson from the edge of the box.
It was Llorente's fifth goal at Anfield in his career, a record so remarkable he has reportedly named his dog after the ground.
Alvarez almost doubled Atletico's lead soon after, only for a flying save from Alisson to deny him from 25 yards following another smart counter.
Liverpool struggled to find rhythm in the press for much of the first half, with rotations consistently a fraction slow and gaps opening between midfield and defence, allowing Atletico to play through with relative ease.
The equaliser arrived five minutes before the break, and it came from an unlikely source.
Ronald Araujo, deployed at right back for a second consecutive start, produced an audacious backheel inside the box to set up Szoboszlai, who slid the ball home from ten yards to make it 1-1 at the interval.
New signing Bradley Barcola, making his first Liverpool start following a £106 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, had already been denied twice by Jan Oblak in the buildup, and squandered a third clear opening early in the second half after being sent through by Florian Wirtz, dragging his effort wide of the post.
Liverpool were not made to pay for the miss. Moments later, Mac Allister thrashed home from 20 yards through a crowded box to complete the turnaround, sprinting towards the Kop in celebration as Anfield rose in acclaim for the midfielder whose future remains uncertain.
The result was overshadowed slightly by Barcola's early exit, with the Frenchman pulling up holding his hamstring just before the hour mark and unable to continue, replaced by Jeremie Frimpong. His withdrawal adds to Liverpool's attacking concerns given Cody Gakpo's own continued absence through injury.
Atletico continued to threaten sporadically through Alvarez in the closing stages, but the visitors could not find a way back, with Liverpool holding on for a hard fought opening win in their Champions League campaign under Iraola.
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday, September 12, hosting Fulham at Anfield with kickoff at 3pm British time.