WATCH: Horror start at Anfield as Atletico Madrid concede twice to Liverpool in opening six minutes | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid have got their 2025-26 Champions League campaign off to a terrible start, having conceded twice to Liverpool in the early stages of their MD1 league phase clash at Anfield.

It was already going to be a tough task for Diego Simeone’s side due to the absences of Julian Alvarez and Johnny Cardoso, but it was the worst possible start. On four minutes, a Mohamed Salah free-kick hit off Andy Robertson and Pablo Barrios before rolling into the Atleti net, leaving Jan Oblak with absolutely no chance. The Liverpool defender, who was strongly linked with a move to Los Colchoneros during the summer, has been credited with the goal.

And to make matters worse, Liverpool would make it 2-0 less than two minutes later. Salah was allowed to waltz his way into the Atleti penalty area without much of a challenge on him, which Simeone will be absolutely furious about. And from only a few yards out, he curled the ball into the bottom corner in trademark fashion.

Damage limitation now for Atleti?

Atleti are right up against it now in their quest to take a positive result back to the RiyadhAir Metropolitano, although they have been the better team in the minutes since Liverpool’s two goals – although that could be down to Liverpool controlling the match from in front of them. And if this is the case, it could end up being a case of damage limitation for Los Colchoneros, who could fear a repeat of last season’s dismal 4-0 defeat at Benfica, which was also in the league phase.

It remains to be seen whether Atleti can get themselves back into this one, but in order to do so, they must score the next goal. If Liverpool were to make it 3-0, it would almost certainly be curtains for Simeone and his players.