Alexis Mac Allister strengthened his case for a new Liverpool contract by scoring the winner as the Reds came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Marcos Llorente gave Atletico an early lead at Anfield before Dominik Szoboszlai restored parity shortly before half-time.
Mac Allister then completed Liverpool’s comeback after the break, firing a low effort from the edge of the box into the net and celebrating passionately in front of the Kop.
The Argentine midfielder had expressed his frustration before the match over Liverpool’s failure to offer him a new contract, but his response on the pitch was decisive.
The victory also handed Andoni Iraola a winning start in his first Champions League campaign.
Liverpool made history by fielding three players whose transfer fees could each exceed £100m ($135m), with new signing Bradley Barcola making his Anfield debut alongside Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in attack.
The hosts started brightly, with Isak firing narrowly wide after a promising move involving Szoboszlai. However, Liverpool’s attacking approach left them vulnerable to Atletico’s counter-attacks.
Diego Simeone’s side took advantage when Julian Alvarez, making his first start of the season, sliced open the Liverpool defence with a precise pass to Llorente.
The midfielder raced onto the ball and fired past Alisson Becker for his fifth goal in three visits to Anfield with Atletico.
Liverpool responded strongly, with Alisson producing an excellent save to deny Alvarez from distance before the hosts eventually found their equaliser.
Barcola twice came close to opening his Liverpool account. The French winger was unable to beat Jan Oblak when presented with a one-on-one opportunity before later firing wide early in the second half.
Liverpool finally drew level in the 40th minute when Szoboszlai found the bottom corner following a flick-on from Ronald Araujo.
Barcola missed another opportunity shortly after the restart, shooting wide after being played through by Wirtz.
Mac Allister then delivered the decisive moment, cutting inside and unleashing a left-footed strike from outside the box that found the net.
Liverpool’s celebrations were tempered when Barcola pulled up with a calf problem before the hour mark, leaving the new signing unable to continue.
Atletico improved defensively in the second half but struggled to create clear chances. Alvarez forced another save from Alisson, while Robin Le Normand produced a crucial last-ditch challenge to deny Isak a chance to add a third.
Liverpool held on for a deserved victory, giving Iraola an impressive start on the European stage and boosting the Reds’ Champions League campaign.
