Atletico Madrid (Spain), featuring Lee Kang-in at the front line, suffered a comeback defeat against Liverpool (England) in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase.

Atletico scored the opening goal in the UCL league phase match 1 against Liverpool held at Anfield in Liverpool, England, today (the 10th), but conceded consecutive goals to lose 1 to 2.

Lee Kang-in started as a two-top striker for Atletico, utilizing a 3-5-2 formation alongside Julian Alvarez, and played 59 minutes until the 14th minute of the second half.

Alternating between striker and midfielder roles, Lee found it difficult to stand out with eye-catching performances, finishing without an attacking point, recording zero shots, one key pass, and an 89% passing accuracy before returning to the bench.

Lee, who donned the Atletico uniform this summer, is steadily solidifying his position within the team by making his 5th consecutive appearance (4 in the league, 1 in the UCL).

Atletico rued a missed opportunity in the 5th minute of the first half when Alvarez, receiving a pass from Lee, fired a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area that was blocked by the goalkeeper.

The organic play between Lee and Alvarez, who paired up as a two-top partnership, stood out.

Atletico took the lead in the 17th minute of the first half.

Marcos Llorente shook the back of Liverpool's net with a left-footed shot from the penalty arc, after receiving a exquisite through pass from midfield by Alvarez.

Liverpool did not back down easily.

In the 40th minute of the first half during a goalmouth scramble, Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai received a heel pass from Ronald Araujo and scored the equalizer with a right-footed shot near the front of the penalty area.

They then grabbed the comeback-winning goal just 5 minutes into the second half.

Alexis Mac Allister turned the game around by scoring with a left-footed mid-range shot from the left side of the penalty arc, latching onto a ball cleared by Atletico's defender.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone opted for a tactical change in the 14th minute of the second half by substituting Alejandro Grimaldo and Ademola Lookman for Lee Kang-in and Koke, but failed to turn the tide.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)