Liverpool kicked off their 2026-27 Champions League league phase campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Atletico Madrid at Anfield. The Reds fell behind early to Marcos Llorente's opener before Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister turned the tie around with crucial goals.
Alexis Mac Allister has dropped a bombshell regarding his future at Liverpool, admitting he is "very, very sad" that the club have not offered him a new contract. The Argentine midfielder, who played a pivotal role in the club's recent Premier League success, also revealed that he had concrete options to leave Anfield during the summer transfer window.
Julian Alvarez has been included in Atletico Madrid's travelling squad to face Liverpool in their Champions League opener at Anfield on Wednesday. The Argentine forward recently returned to competitive action following intense transfer speculation over the summer, as Diego Simeone's side prepares for another demanding European test on Merseyside.
The road to Madrid begins this week as the league phase gets under way - but which teams are currently looking in the best shape to go on and lift the European Cup?
Gneist
