Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid: 'I should take the blame' - Iraola admits Liverpool surprise in win over Colchoneros

Anfield was the signifier for yet different Liverpool triumph connected Wednesday. In the opening fixture of the 2026-27 Champions League, the English broadside beat Atletico Madrid 2-1, contempt manager Andoni Iraola admitting helium was caught disconnected defender by the opposition's tactical setup.

The Colchoneros lined up successful a 5-3-2 formation, thing they had not utilized successful caller matches, with the added novelty of Giuliano Simeone starting connected the near flank.

The opening minutes belonged to the Spanish side, who opened the scoring successful the 17th infinitesimal done a good determination finished disconnected by Marcos Llorente, acceptable up by Julian Alvarez.

"I deliberation I should instrumentality the blasted for the start," Iraola admitted successful an interrogation with TNT Sports. The Reds brag acknowledged that the accommodation to antagonistic this astonishment took excessively long, and was lone decently implemented aft half-time.

Iraola enchanted by Anfield connected European nighttime with Liverpool

Even so, the squad managed to equalise earlier the break, lone completing the turnaround aboriginal successful the 2nd half.

"They amazed maine a small tactically: they played with a backmost five, successful a 5-3-2. We expected thing different, and we were dilatory to set to that. After the break, we played a overmuch amended match, pressed better, and I deliberation we were the superior team," helium added.

The Spaniard's investigation was confirmed by what Alexis Mac Allister, scorer of the 2nd goal, said aft the match. "We conceded due to the fact that we weren't prepared and didn't support well," helium told TNT.

For the archetypal time, Iraola experienced a Champions League nighttime astatine Anfield, and helium could not person been much captivated by the experience. "I loved it. The ambiance was incredible, and I consciousness fortunate to person been capable to acquisition it."

The crowd's support, successful fact, was 1 of the reasons down Liverpool's beardown performance. Driven connected by the stands, the squad resembled the sides of Jurgen Klopp's heyday, aggravated successful pressing and winning the shot back, nonstop successful onslaught with Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and others.

"It's hard to inquire for more. I deliberation we showed a batch of personality, particularly the players, aft a hard start," the manager said.

Liverpool's increasing wont of coming from behind

"I liked the mentality. We showed existent desire, we managed to bring the fans onto our side, and that's precise important erstwhile you play astatine Anfield. That's what we want, and I deliberation it was a genuinely affirmative measurement for us," Mac Allister reiterated.

This marked the 3rd lucifer this play successful which the Reds fell down and battled back. Previously, successful the opening Premier League fixtures, the squad started down against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, drew level, conceded again, and had to combat adjacent harder to unafraid a 2-2 gully successful some matches.

"We managed different comeback aft Forest and Newcastle. We inactive request to amended astatine the commencement of matches, but I'm blessed due to the fact that we showed character," Iraola stressed.

Buoyed by besides having beaten Ipswich Town past weekend, Liverpool big Fulham successful the Premier League this Saturday.