Mac Allister winner answers contract questions but worrying Liverpool trend emerges | OneFootball

If Liverpool made Alexis Mac Allister very, very sad, in his own words, he made Anfield very, very happy here. Andoni Iraola’s introduction to the Champions League was eventful and, eventually, enjoyable. Liverpool beat last season’s semi-finalists with a stunning goal from a World Cup winner. A day after some unexpected revelations, Mac Allister let his football do the talking, and how.

For Iraola, a first European night at Anfield offered an insight into their power. “I loved it - the atmosphere has been incredible,” the Basque said. “We have shown big character.” A comeback victory provided an uplifting end to an evening that still had its unsatisfactory elements. Liverpool’s defending in the first half presented a concern in a game that was frenetic and flawed; fractious at times, too.

Maybe Mac Allister’s relationship with Liverpool has become more awkward. If so, however, they might have benefited from some creative tension. Mac Allister had gone public with his disappointment after Liverpool told him they were not in a position to offer him a new contract. This was the right kind of way to change their minds, with an unstoppable shot, drilled in from 20 yards. That it came from Mac Allister’s less favoured left foot shows the technique the Argentinian possesses. “Lovely goal from Alexis,” said Iraola.

Perhaps, though, it was unsurprising he scored. Mac Allister is shaping up as the scourge of Madrid, a scorer against Real in both 2024 and 2025 and now Atletico in 2026. His name was chorused when he was substituted.

Often outnumbered, Liverpool’s midfield struggled at times but their goals nevertheless came from midfielders. Dominik Szoboszlai was Liverpool’s outstanding player in last year’s Champions League, with five goals and four assists. He offered hope of a similarly productive continental campaign, finding the far corner with a low shot to equalise, following a backheel from Ronald Araujo. “You have to ask him if he meant it,” said Szoboszlai.

It came seconds after Jan Oblak denied Barcola a maiden Liverpool goal; Iraola, with his fondness for vertical football and pressing, was presumably pleased it all stemmed from Milos Kerkez coming forward to win the ball from Kang-in Lee. It was a redemptive moment for the Hungarian, who was culpable for the Atleti goal.

open image in gallery

Szoboszlai scored the equaliser as Liverpool came from behind again (Reuters)

Barcola had come off the bench at Ipswich on Friday. His first start since his £106m move came on the right wing, in Mohamed Salah’s old role. He really ought to have marked it with his first goal, particularly when, four minutes after half-time, Florian Wirtz sent him speeding through the heart of the Atletico defence. But Barcola rolled his shot past the post to highlight questions about his finishing. “He has two very clear chances against the keeper, he didn’t score but I want him there,” said Iraola. The Frenchman went off, cramping up, as he gets back to full sharpness.

By then, Liverpool had made history of sorts with three £100m men on the pitch together; from one move involving all three, Wirtz had a shot saved by Jan Oblak, though his supplier, Alexander Isak, was offside. The Swede had shown Liverpool’s initial attacking intent, unleashing a shot after 16 seconds, when Szoboszlai powered forward.

Yet, once again, they conceded first. “Four games, three times we have come back,” said Iraola. They have needed to, though. Iraola found fault with himself for failing to anticipate Diego Simeone’s 3-5-2 formation. “I think I have to take blame from the beginning because they surprised me a little bit tactically,” he said. “They played a five.” And Liverpool failed to track the Atleti wing-backs, conceding to their unlikely nemesis.

Marcos Llorente has scored 10 Champions League goals and, astonishingly, half have come on Merseyside. The Spaniard called his dog “Anfield” after a brace in 2020. He may be wondering what else to name after Liverpool’s home, because he got an Anfield double last year and now another goal here. “Every footballer has a ground where he scores,” said Iraola.

open image in gallery

Marcos Llorente enjoyed another visit to Anfield (Reuters)

So Llorente proved. Julian Alvarez provided the defence-splitting pass. Llorente darted beyond Kerkez to supply the assured finish. It was an issue with Iraola’s high defensive line, but also with his erratic left-back.

This was Alvarez’s first start since a summer spent dreaming of a move to Barcelona. The pass indicated why Atleti were so keen to keep him. So, too, was a 25-yard shot that drew a terrific save from Alisson. “Julian was fantastic, he wanted the ball from minute one to minute 90,” said his manager, Diego Simeone.

Atleti were superior during the first 45, but they have second-half problems of late. “In the first half we played well and in the second we didn’t and then you start to commit errors and mistakes and all the effort you put in is just an anecdote,” lamented Simeone.

A September defeat at Anfield last season did not stop Simeone’s side from reaching the last four. For Liverpool, first and third in the league phase in two seasons under Arne Slot, this was a fine start in Iraola’s reign.

They were watched by a Champions League-winning manager, a former Inter manager and a Madrid native, in Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard’s loyalties as a boy lay with Real Madrid. It gave him an added reason to savour Mac Allister’s strike. Few others at Anfield needed one, though.