Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister scored a powerful 20-yard winner as the Reds defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield in the Champions League.
The 27-year-old Argentine World Cup champion struck in the second half to complete a comeback victory, just a day after creating a pre-match distraction by publicly complaining about his contract situation at the club.
Dominik Szoboszlai had equalised for the hosts shortly before half-time after Marcos Llorente gave Diego Simeone's streetwise visitors an early lead in what was Liverpool's biggest test of the early season.
Mac Allister responds after contract controversy
Mac Allister, a World Cup champion with Argentina and a Premier League winner, had prefaced the fixture by publicly complaining about the lack of a new contract offer from Liverpool. Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard questioned the midfielder's admission as unhelpful after Mac Allister also revealed he had nearly left Anfield in the past.
The timing of Mac Allister's comments, described as either clumsy or sinister, presented an unwelcome distraction for new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, who was taking charge of only his third meaningful game at the club. However, the experienced midfielder responded decisively on the pitch at the Kop End.
Following a run across the byline by young winger Rio Ngumoha, the Atletico defence produced a hurried clearance under pressure for the first time in the match. Mac Allister pounced on the loose ball to slam home a pure, powerful 20-yard strike, proving that new contracts are best earned by winning matches rather than lighting up press conferences.
The victory was particularly sweet for Iraola, who secured a win in his very first career match managing in the UEFA Champions League.
Atletico strike first at Anfield
Liverpool could have scored within 15 seconds when Szoboszlai dispossessed an opponent straight from the opening kick-off. The Hungarian midfielder played Alexander Isak down the right wing, but the Swedish striker pulled his right-footed shot across goal and wide of the far post.
Despite that early chance, Atletico Madrid carried the main threat throughout the first half. Simeone's side, despite an unimpressive start to their domestic La Liga season, rolled out a familiar blueprint to thwart Liverpool, giving away very little while looking to penetrate the home team's dreadfully square back four whenever breaking through the centre.
In the 17th minute, Julian Alvarez played Llorente through towards the Kop, allowing the Spaniard to lift the ball cleanly over goalkeeper Alisson Becker and into the goal to give Atletico a deserved lead.
The opening goal was Llorente's fifth career strike against Liverpool, accounting for exactly half of his total Champions League tally of 10 goals. Liverpool appeared slow and clunky in response, looking open without top defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who was inexplicably left on the substitute bench.
Iraola had stuck with the same full-backs who started last Friday's win at Ipswich Town, but left-back Milos Kerkez struggled during the opening half-hour. The Hungarian international, who played for Iraola at Bournemouth, plays at 100 miles an hour and was positioned a yard behind his defensive teammates when Alvarez played Llorente through.
Szoboszlai brings Liverpool level
Atletico continued to exploit Liverpool's square defence, with Alisson forced into a fine save from Alvarez in the 27th minute. Liverpool only began to build sustained threat in the final ten minutes of the half, when Isak delivered a superb far-post pass to German international Florian Wirtz, whose shot drew a good save from Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The equaliser arrived just before half-time after Kerkez showed great heart to win the ball in midfield and drive forward. The left-back passed across the penalty area to 125 million pound summer signing Bradley Barcola, whose shot was saved by Oblak before right-back Ronald Araujo flicked the loose ball to Szoboszlai to side-foot gently into the corner.
Alex Baena volleyed wide for Atletico shortly afterwards, but Iraola's team went into the break on level terms. Barcola was making his first start for Liverpool and his European debut on the left wing, coming into the side after Cody Gakpo reported a minor injury.
Late pressure and match conclusion
Liverpool found a strong rhythm at the start of the second half. Wirtz played Barcola clear through on goal, but the French winger shot wide, missing the opportunity to score his first goal for the club.
Soon after, Mac Allister's 20-yard redemption goal completed a turnaround of two goals in the space of ten minutes, sparking a tangible surge of adrenaline inside Anfield. However, Atletico threatened again as Alvarez spurned a major chance to equalise, side-footing straight at Alisson from 14 yards when he should have done better.
Barcola later departed with what Liverpool hope was only cramp. Simeone's side pushed forward again during the final 15 minutes, but Liverpool held on to seal a crucial European victory.
