Iraola will be relieved that his team were able to shake off Marcos Llorente’s opening goal — remarkably, his fifth at Anfield — courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai (after a lovely backheel by Ronald Araujo) and a thunderbolt from Alexis Mac Allister, whose future has been the subject of more debate this week.

The Reds kicked off their 2026–27 Champions League campaign with a gritty victory.

A disappointed Diego Simeone spoke to the media as the Atlético de Madrid coach rued the drop-off in the team's performance in a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield in the first game of their Champions League campaign.

Here's everything you need to know to catch today's Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid UEFA Champions League match.

Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first Champions League match as Liverpool begin their European campaign against Atlético Madrid - follow live with ESPN.

Lee Kang-in failed to shine in his first appearance on the "stage of stars" after his transfer. Struggling under intense marking from opponents and even providing a reason for a goal conceded, he was substituted early and had to watch his team suffer a come-from-behind defeat.

Alexis Mac Allister scored Liverpool’s winner as they began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid

The match turned on a fundamental tactical imbalance: Atlético's determination to play out from the back collided with Liverpool's aggressive pressing, and the visitors could not solve the equation. Both Liverpool goals emerged directly from Atlético possession losses in dangerous positions.

Liverpool begins its Champions League campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 9 when it hosts La Liga side Atlético Madrid.

One Argentina star being forced to honour his contract took the pre-match attention, but another who wants a new one won it for Liverpool.