Liverpool had been cruising towards victory at Anfield, but Atletico Madrid are now back in the game at Anfield in this first league phase of the 2025-26 Champions League for both sides.
It was the worst possible start for Atleti, as they conceded twice in the opening six minutes after goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. That had rocked them massively, but credit to Diego Simeone’s side, they had the better of the play in the minutes after, as they sought an immediate response.
One did not come, and actually, it was Liverpool that almost made it 3-0 when Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz combined to present an opportunity to Jeremie Frimpong, but it was well-defended by Atleti. And that has now proven crucial.
In the third minute of four added on at the end of the first half, Atleti have got the goal they so desperately needed. Giacomo Raspardori, who is making his first start since his summer move from Napoli, played in Marcos Llorente, who continued his excellent record at Anfield by poking the ball into the far corner, out of the reach of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Atlético Madrid pull one back against Liverpool through Marcos Llorente 👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/lxdUi8LIwo
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 17, 2025
🚨🇪🇺 LLORENTE GETS ONE BACK FOR ATLETICO MADRID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liverpool 2-1 Atlético Madrid.pic.twitter.com/oAVp7YSU0y
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) September 17, 2025
Marcos Llorente LOVES scoring at Anfield 😍 pic.twitter.com/dLyTYbuMx2
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 17, 2025
Atleti seeking to repeat 2020 Anfield comeback
Atleti already know what it is like to come back from 2-0 down at Anfield, having done so in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Liverpool during the 2019-20 season. Llorente scored the two goals that saw Los Colchoneros bring that match back to 2-2, so there is a chance that a repeat could be on the cards.
Confidence will be taken from that goal right before half time, and it will be very interesting to see whether Atleti can continue taking the game to Liverpool in the early stages of the second half. The home side will be nervous, having seen their lead cut in half at such a crucial time.
