ReactionAndoni Iraola press conference: 'The players have shown big character'
The Reds produced a recovery from a goal behind to claim victory over the La Liga visitors and earn three points in their Champions League opener.
Strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister saw Iraola's charges overturn a deficit, with Marcos Llorente having put Atletico in front.
Following the game, the head coach gave his thoughts on the result and more to reporters in a press conference - read a round-up below.
On what he said at half-time to his players…
Yes, I think today I have to blame myself a little bit for the start of the game. I think Atletico has used a structure that they haven't used before this season and it has cost us a little bit to match up properly. I think until we conceded the goal and we've had a couple of minutes where we've adjusted things and [then] we match up much better. It was the moment where we started playing better.
Obviously after half-time, you have more time [then], [but] everything was better set. In the second half I think we were the best team. I think the team [and] the players have shown big character - big character. Also, the crowd has helped us massively in the second half. You know, in these kinds of nights you are there doing your job, but you also can enjoy it.
On Mac Allister's performance…
Yeah, [it's a] lovely goal from Alexis, lovely from Dom Szoboszlai. I think it's good also that midfielders can add goals because we have midfielders that naturally are going to arrive to the box. Sometimes we are talking about the structure - keep your position - but it's inside them [to do it] for Ryan Gravenberch, from Dom Szoboszlai and for Alexis Mac Allister. It's good that we can also benefit offensively from those situations where they arrive to the box.
On his first experience of the Champions League with Liverpool…
I really enjoyed it. There is a part where you are in charge of the game and you cannot think too much about the atmosphere. But especially after the 2-1, we've had very good minutes there and we've had a couple of chances. We were pushing and you can feel the atmosphere in the stadium. Even in moments at the end where obviously they are attacking a little bit and you have to defend and players are tired. The people have helped us a lot and I'm very thankful.
On Ronald Araujo's performances…
I think he's been very, very good. The other day [against Ipswich Town] and he has been, I would say, even better today. I think he's defending really well his side, but also sometimes because he's a centre-back we underrate his offensive side. Today he gives a great assist to Dom Szoboszlai.
He's made a couple of very good serves from his position and I'm very happy with him. Very happy. He's come with the willingness to show that he belongs to this level, and I hope we can keep him there because he's in a lovely place.
On how pleased he has been so far with his players implementing his style…
I'm happy today because we faced a very tough situation starting the game [by] conceding the first goal [and] not having the plan very clear in terms of they changed some things. I think we've corrected quite well live, and this experience will help us for the next time. We don't have three years of experience where you can say, 'You remember this one?' Then you correct things.
Here [right] now you have to talk with a lot of players, you have to correct and to get results. To go in behind [and] win the game… I think it's in four games [it's] three times that we've come back somehow. I think it shows that players are pushing, [they] are showing character and now it's a matter of getting everything cleaner and sharper.