Liverpool secured their first UEFA Champions League points of the season with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
Alexis MacAllister struck the decisive goal early in the second half to seal the win for the hosts, who had fallen behind in the opening 20 minutes before fighting back.
The Spanish visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when Marcos Llorente broke clear of the defense. Julian Alvarez, making his first starting appearance of the season, supplied a precise through pass that set up Llorente to beat goalkeeper Alisson in a one-on-one situation.
The goal continued a remarkable individual streak for Llorente on Merseyside. In his third appearance playing at Anfield, the Spanish midfielder has now scored five goals at Liverpool's home ground.
Liverpool responded strongly after going behind, but Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak kept his side ahead with a series of impressive saves. Oblak denied French forward Bradley Barcola twice and also turned away an effort from German midfielder Florian Wirtz.
The pressure paid off in the 40th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai brought Liverpool level. Defender Ronald Araujo provided a clever backheel pass inside the penalty area to set up the Hungarian midfielder, who placed his shot beyond Oblak to make it 1-1 before the interval.
MacAllister strikes after the break
Liverpool began the second half with intensity and should have taken the lead in the 48th minute. A fast counter-attack sent Barcola through one-on-one with Oblak, but the forward pulled his shot wide of the target.
Two minutes later, Liverpool found their second goal through MacAllister. The midfielder collected the ball just outside the Atletico penalty area in the 50th minute and struck a powerful shot near the post, leaving Oblak with no chance of saving it.
The early burst of action in the second half gave way to a quieter period as Atletico struggled to break down Liverpool's defensive unit. Liverpool slowed the pace after taking the lead, controlling possession while denying the Spanish side clear opportunities.
The hosts thought they had added a third goal late in the contest when substitute Jeremie Frimpong turned in a rebound following a shot by Victor Munoz. However, the Dutch international was offside, and the goal was disallowed.
Repeat of last season's European thriller
The encounter at Anfield mirrored last season's meeting between the two clubs in the Champions League league phase. In that previous match on English soil, Liverpool secured a dramatic 3-2 victory thanks to a 92nd-minute goal from captain Virgil van Dijk.
Both teams entered the fixture looking for momentum after inconsistent starts to their domestic league campaigns, having each won only one of their opening three league matches this season. Liverpool's victory earned manager Andoni Iraola his first three points in the European competition's league phase.
Diego Simeone's Atletico side failed to test Alisson in the Liverpool goal during the second half as the home side closed out the 2-1 win. Referee Davide Massa of Italy handed out two yellow cards during the match, cautioning MacAllister for Liverpool and Pubill for Atletico.
Match lineups and statistical summary
Liverpool lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Alisson in goal behind a defensive line of Ronald Araujo, Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez. Szoboszlai, MacAllister, and Wirtz formed the midfield, while Barcola, Alexander Isak, and Rio Ngumoha started in attack. Iraola introduced Frimpong and Munoz in the 60th minute, Ryan Gravenberch in the 69th minute, and Kostas Tsimikas and Lewis Koumas in the 88th minute.
Atletico Madrid started Jan Oblak in goal, guarded by Marcos Llorente, Romero, Pubill, and David Hancko across the back line. Giuliano Simeone, Pablo Barrios, Koke, and Alex Baena started in midfield, behind a strike pair of Lee Kang-in and Julian Alvarez. Simeone brought on Alejandro Grimaldo and Ademola Lookman in the 59th minute, Alex David in the 73rd minute, and Robin Le Normand and Morten Hjulmand in the 77th minute.
The statistical battle in the first half reflected an evenly matched contest, with both teams recording 50 percent possession, six total shots, and three shots on target before Liverpool took control in the second period.
