Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Andoni Iraola described his first experience of managing Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield as “incredible” following Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid.
Iraola, overseeing his first match as manager in this competition for any club, watched on as his team came back from Marcos Llorente’s 17th-minute opener to take all three points on MD1.
Liverpool fell behind when Llorente finished past Alisson Becker, scoring his fifth Champions League goal in his third outing against the Reds, all of which have come at Anfield.
But the hosts hit back five minutes before half-time through Dominik Szoboszlai, who rolled the ball into the net after being teed up by Ronald Araujo’s exquisite flick in the box.
The comeback was completed in the 50th minute when Alexis Mac Allister lashed into the bottom-left corner after good work from Rio Ngumoha down the right-hand side.
Atletico grew as the game went on, but Liverpool came closest to altering the scoreline, only to see Jeremie Frimpong’s strike ruled out for offside before holding on to claim a fourth consecutive victory against the LaLiga giants in Europe.
Liverpool have won their opening match of a Champions League campaign on five of the last six occasions (L1), while Iraola celebrated his first win over Diego Simeone in his managerial career, having failed to win any of his four prior encounters in LaLiga in charge of Rayo Vallecano (D1 L3).
Iraola lauded his players for their efforts to get the job done, even shouldering some of the blame for getting his tactics wrong when Atletico lined up in a different formation.
“Difficult to ask for more. I think we have shown big character, especially the players after a difficult start,” Iraola told TNT Sports.
“I loved it – the atmosphere was incredible, and I feel lucky to experience it. I think I have to take blame from the beginning, because they surprised me a little bit tactically.
“They played a five at the back – a 5-3-2. We expected something different and waited to correct it.
“After half-time, we had a much better game, we pressed better, and I think we have been a better team.”
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 9, 2026
In Champions League games that Atletico have scored the opening goal, this is just the second time in the last 14 occasions that they have lost (W10 D2), having also gone down 2-1 to Bodo/Glimt in January last season.
But coming from behind has proved to be a recurring theme in the early parts of Iraola’s tenure. Liverpool have salvaged draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, before beating Ipswich Town in their last league match.
“I was enjoying it. They’re a very good team. Technically, in the middle, lovely players. It is not easy to press those players as they have quality,” Iraola added.
“They have been playing together forever. We find another comeback after Forest, after Newcastle.
“We still have this thing to improve at the beginning of the games, but I am happy as we have shown some character. This is the Champions League; you don’t have easy games.”
There was also concern surrounding £123m summer signing Bradley Barcola who, on his first start for the club, was forced off in the 60th minute after going down injured.
Iraola, however, revealed Barcola was just suffering from cramp, though he will wait to see whether he will be involved in Saturday’s clash against Fulham.
“No, just cramps, especially with Bradley,” Iraola said when asked about possible injuries sustained against Atletico. “We are kind of rushing him a little bit.
“We wanted him there, but in the end we decided to say give us what you have, then that’s the most he has. Let’s see how they recover for the next one.”
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