Online Reporter
Mac Allister expressed his frustration at not being offered a new deal on the eve of the match, but responded by blasting home from the edge of the box to cap Liverpool’s comeback.
Mac Allister had been linked with a move to Atletico during the transfer window and expressed his sadness at not being offered a new contract by Liverpool, while Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have agreed new deals in recent months.
Marcos Llorente had given Atletico an early lead before Dominik Szoboszlai levelled before halftime.
Victory came at a cost for the Reds, though, as new signing Bradley Barcola limped off with a calf injury.
For the first time three players who cost in excess of £100 million ($135 million) were named in the same side as Barcola made his Anfield debut alongside Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in the Liverpool attack.
Isak fired just wide after a purposeful break by Szoboszlai in an energetic start by Liverpool in the first Champions League game of Iraola’s career.
But in their desperation to pour forward, the Reds left themselves wide open to the counter-attack.
Atletico were humbled 3-0 by Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to cap an underwhelming start to the season by Diego Simeone’s men.
Julian Alvarez’s future has cast a cloud over Atletico on and off the field for the past few months after his desire for a move to Barcelona was steadfastly rejected by the club’s hierarchy.
The Argentine was handed his first start of the season and cut open the Liverpool defence for the opening goal.
Llorente, who named his dog Anfield after scoring twice in Atletico’s last 16 win over Liverpool in 2020, raced onto Alvarez’s pass to score his fifth goal in three visits to Anfield with the Spanish side.
Only a brilliant save by Alisson Becker denied Alvarez from long range before the Liverpool fightback began.
Barcola twice should have marked his first chance to impress his new fanbase with a goal.
The French winger, who could cost up to £123 million, failed to squeeze the ball past Jan Oblak with just the giant Slovenian to beat.
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said it was difficult to ask for more from his Champions League coaching debut after the Reds came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1.
Iraola’s men got off to a bad start when Marcos Llorente fired the visitors ahead with his fifth goal in three visits to Anfield.
However, Dominik Szoboszlai equalised before halftime and Alexis Mac Allister blasted home the winner in the second half to get Liverpool’s Champions League campaign off to a positive start.
“It’s difficult to ask for more,” said Iraola, who had never previously coached in European football’s top competition.
“We’ve shown big character, especially the players after a difficult start to do the second half they have done.
“I’ve loved it. The atmosphere has been incredible and I feel lucky, lucky to experience it.”
Liverpool’s victory appeared to come at a cost when new signing Bradley Barcola limped off on the hour mark.
Iraola, though, said the £123 million ($167 million) recruit from Paris Saint-Germain had just suffered cramp after his first start of the season.
“It’s just cramps, especially with Bradley. We are kind of rushing him a little bit because he hasn’t played any minute in pre-season,” added Iraola.
“We want him there, but at the end we’ve decided today, okay, give us whatever you have.
“That’s the most he has and let’s see how they recover for the next one because we play in three days again.” – SuperSport
