Liverpool 2 Atletico Madrid 1: Alexis Mac Allister thunderbolt sends message to board as Reds win entertaining clash

ALEXIS Mac Allister let his boots do the contract talking – to hand Andoni Iraola the perfect start to his Champions League career. But new £123m recruit Bradley Barcola’s home debut was cut short with a worrying calf issue less than an hour into his first Liverpool start. Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid in their Champions League opener Credit: EPA Alexis Mac Allister scored a stunning goal to put the Reds ahead Credit: Reuters Argentine midfielder Mac Allister upset the Anfield applecart on Tuesday night by admitting he was “very sad” at not being offered a new deal this summer. Twenty-four hours later the South American got Anfield singing in acclaim with the stunning left-footer that completed a turnaround triumph against the grizzled Spaniards on Iraola’s European bow. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Dominik Szoboszlai had drawn Liverpool level just before the break, cancelling out what has now become a trademark Anfield goal by Marcos Llorente – the Atletico man’s fifth in three games at the stadium. The big disappointment for Iraola, though, would have been seeing Barcola, bright and dangerous despite missing three great chances, forced off when he went down under no obvious contact. Iraola will hope that Barcola is not seriously hurt – and also be happy that his side proved to be quick learners after a really difficult first half-hour against Diego Simeone’s battle-scarred warriors. While Alexander Isak wasted a chance, forged by Szoboszlai, inside 30 seconds, Liverpool’s high defensive line was an open invitation for Simeone’s side to pour into the vacant spaces. Llorente had scored twice in each of his previous Champions League visits to Liverpool, even naming his dog “Anfield” to remind him. His latest at the ground duly arrived after just 17 minutes, when Julian Alvarez, given far too much time to pick his pass, sent him through the middle to slot past Alisson from the edge of the box. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Marcos Llorente scored yet again at Anfield Credit: Getty Only a flying leap to his right by Alisson denied Alvarez a second from 25 yards after a smart counter Atletico once again taking advantage of the acres in behind. But five minutes from the break, Liverpool were level. Milos Kerkez, poor for the Atletico goal, won the ball 40 yards out. Barcola was foiled by Jan Oblak but Liverpool recycled, former Spurs skipper Cristian Romero’s block lacked conviction and Ronald Araujo’s delightful heel-flick gave Szoboszlai the chance to slide home from 10 yards. Mac Allister sent a message to Liverpool’s board with his goal Credit: Getty Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool’s equaliser Credit: Getty Barcola, slipped in on goal by the improving Florian Wirtz but squirting wide, should have put Liverpool in front at the start of the second period. Miss number three was the worst of them. Not that it mattered when Mac Allister immediately thrashed home through a crowded box from 20 yards. Although the French winger’s subsequent early exit cast a cloud on proceedings. Madrid still had their moments, Alvarez involved in most of them, but that early fizz had gone flat. Mac Allister would like to use his to toast a new deal. Comment now