Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid and Napoli vs Arsenal - Champions League LIVE: Reaction as Premier League sides claim vital victories

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Champions League

Around the grounds

Champions League results from around the grounds:

  • Barcelona 5-1 Feyenoord
  • Stuttgart 3-1 Viking
  • Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
  • Napoli 0-1 Arsenal
  • PSG 6-1 Slovan Bratislava
  • Sporting CP 3-1 Galatasaray

 Ferran Torres of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and SK Slovan Bratislava at Parc des Princes on September 09, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

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Szoboszlai: 'We can achieve everything we want'

Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool goalscorer, on TNT Sports:

Very happy to be back. These nights are always special. After a setback, we came back in a good game. Happy for the result, happy to score my goal finally again. It was ups and downs all the time - they have a good team. I think we have a good team as well. We gave everything that we had.

I love playing every competition, especially with the jersey on me. I hope we keep on going, and we can do something special this year.

We can achieve everything we want to, so we have to work hard for it, and let's hope for the best. We have to look game by game, and now we are going to have a recovery and be ready for Fulham. Ready to go again.

Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after he scored his side's first goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

LiverpoolChampions LeagueAtletico Madrid

WATCH: Mac Allister scores stunning winner

We simply have to watch that Alexis Mac Allister winner back.

It eerily reminds me of Steven Gerrard's against Olympiacos here in 2004. You know the one, surely.

Look, it's not quite as good, but the way it breaks for the Argentine, the way he slaps it in, and the way he races over to the Kop... all very similar.

A real stormer of a strike.

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Macca proves his point

Are you watching, Liverpool's board?

Alexis Mac Allister shocked a lot of people when he came out yesterday to proclaim his disappointment at not getting a new contract in the summer. It was, well, a very bold move.

That may have rubbed some of the higher-ups the wrong way, but what would have rubbed them the right way is that cracker of a winner he netted tonight.

It really was a stunner.

But it wasn't just that he scored a goal; I thought teh Argentine was brilliant all night in the middle of the park. He seems to be filled with much more energy this season, and is pressing really well in this system.

Continue to play like that, and I'm sure he will get that new contract.

 Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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Barcola just had 'cramp'

Liverpool fans, you can relax.

I can tell you that the Reds fans were bricking it with nerves when Bradley Barcola looked like he had pulled his calf in the second half. Honestly, all the Liverpool supporters I know were going bonkers with fear in group chats.

But fear not, Andoni Iraola has just told TNT Sports that Barcola just had cramp, and he is completely fine.

That's a good sign because the Frenchman really shone at times on his full debut tonight.

Yes, I know he missed chances, but he still got into those positions. Barcola is still a little rusty and will only get better as the season goes on.

With him on the left, Liverpool are frightening going forward.

 Bradley Barcola of Liverpool is injured during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

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Odegaard's game by numbers

Martin Odegaard's stats against Napoli tonight:

  • 120 touches
  • 91/105 passes completed
  • 6 chances created
  • 5x possession won
  • 4 duels won
  • 3 shots
  • 2 successful take-ons
  • 2 big chances created
  • 1 shot on target
  • 1 goal

 Martin Odegaard of Arsenal scores goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

Stats provided by Squawka and Opta

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WATCH: Odegaard wins it with cracker

While we are on the subject of Martin Odegaard, let's take a look at his winner, shall we?

He hit the ball, and boy, did it stay hit.

Odegaard truly is in some of the best form I've ever seen him in, and this strike very much shows it. A real cracker.

A goal that is worthy of winning any game in the Champions League.

Isaan Khan

'Odegaard leading Arsenal's charge'

Isaan Khan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona:

Martin Odegaard cames up with the goods to get Arsenal the win. It’s now four goals in five games for the midfielder – having struck just once last season. He’s in some form and leading Arsenal’s charge.

 Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

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Gunners get job done

This Arsenal side just don't know how to lose.

That's now five wins from five if you count the Community Shield, and I don't care what other people say; I think it's a real trophy. We need to treat it with more respect.

The Gunners have had a flying start to the campaign; tonight's scoreline doesn't quite do justice to just how dominant they were over this Napoli side. They should have had a hatful.

And well, at the other end they are just impenetrable. That's four clean sheets already this campaign, and Morgan Rogers' goal at the weekend is the only one they have conceded.

Ominous signs for the rest of Europe and the Premier League.

 Martin Odegaard of Arsenal FC celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team's advantage goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

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Cracking comeback

That was a brilliant win for Liverpool.

We haven't seen the Reds produce a performance like that too often in the last year; that was much more like it. They looked like the Andoni Iraola-style side we were all expecting to see at the start of the season.

Going forward, they were electric and could probably have scored four or five if new man Bradley Barcola had his shooting boots on.

But two were enough in the end to come from behind against this Atletico Madrid side, and what a goal it was to win it.

I said this place got a bit nervy, but let's be real, Atletico Madrid didn't really threaten late on there.

A great start to their European campaign for the Reds.

 Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Rio Ngumoha and Milos Kerkez during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 09, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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FULL-TIME: Napoli 0-1 Arsenal

A winning start for Arsenal.

The Gunners get the job done in the only way this team knows how: by keeping a clean sheet and nicking it with a great goal.

'1-0 to the Arsenal' seems to be the anthem of this side, and well, you just can't knock it.

Another win for Mikel Arteta and his men.

LiverpoolFull TimeAtletico Madrid

FULL-TIME: Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Anfield erupts!

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign with a home win over Atletico Madrid for the second season on the spin.

They had to come from behind this year, and that will make it all the sweeter. The winning goal from Alexis Mac Allister... phoarrrrr.

A big, big win.

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