Llorente strikes again, but Liverpool don't panic

If there is one name that makes Liverpool supporters instinctively groan, it is Marcos Llorente. The Atletico Madrid midfielder has made something of a habit of haunting the Reds in this competition, and he was at it again on a European night at Anfield, curling home a one-on-one finish in the 17th minute to give Diego Simeone's side an early advantage. It was his fifth goal in five appearances against Liverpool in the Champions League, a quite remarkable record against one opponent, and it came from a moment of slack defending, with Llorente peeling off his marker after running onto an Alvarez through-ball and finishing with ease past Alisson.

To their credit, Liverpool did not fold. Head coach Andoni Iraola, experiencing the Champions League as a manager for the very first time, would have seen enough in the opening period to know his side had the quality to turn it around. They just needed to find their rhythm.

Szoboszlai and Mac Allister swing the match Liverpool's way

The equaliser arrived five minutes before half-time and it was a thing of beauty in the build-up. Ronald Araujo produced a lovely backheel flick, the kind of touch you wouldn't normally associate with a centre-back, to set Dominik Szoboszlai in behind, and the Hungarian took the pass under his control before beating Jan Oblak with a composed finish. It was a goal that came from genuine quality, with Florian Wirtz having kept the attack alive after Oblak had earlier denied Barcola following some brilliant pressing from Milos Kerkez.

Then, five minutes into the second half, Alexis Mac Allister settled the contest in the most emphatic fashion possible. Rio Ngumoha had been causing all sorts of problems after the break, and when his shot was blocked and only half-cleared, Mac Allister arrived at the edge of the box and absolutely rifled it into the net first-time. A rocket, as any fair witness would describe it. The Argentine midfielder, it is worth noting, is currently playing without a new contract, and if performances like this are his way of making a point, it is a very eloquent one indeed.

A performance that had plenty to build on

Ngumoha was perhaps the story of the second half, the youngster showing real liveliness and making a genuine impression at this level on what was a significant occasion for him. He was involved in the build-up to the second goal and was lively enough to draw a booking from Marc Pubill, who fouled him when he threatened to break clear. Wirtz, too, was growing into the match, and Alisson kept Liverpool ahead with a superb full-stretch save to deny a long-range Alvarez effort at a critical moment.

It was not without its edgy moments, Barcola dragged a gilt-edged chance wide with Anfield already rising to celebrate, and former goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, felt the officiating had been inconsistent throughout the evening. Still, Liverpool held on, and the result means Iraola's side have now backed up Friday's Premier League win at Ipswich Town with a Champions League victory on their first night back in the competition this season.

What this means for Liverpool's European campaign

Last season, Liverpool beat Atletico 3-2 at the same stage of the competition, so to come through again, this time from a goal down, speaks well of the mentality within this squad. The new faces are settling, the character is clearly there, and with Wirtz, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai all showing real quality when it mattered, there is genuine reason to feel encouraged about what this side can do in Europe this term.

Anfield is buzzing again on Champions League nights, and if Liverpool can continue to find this kind of resilience when tested, they will be a serious force in the league phase.