National media react to 'Death Star' Liverpool and Alexander Isak - 'what madness'

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Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on September 17 2025(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

They've only gone and done it again.

Liverpool continued their habit of dramatic late victories by defeating Atletico Madrid 3-2 in their Champions League opener on Wednesday evening.

Virgil van Dijk powered home a header in the second minute of injury time after early goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah were wiped out by a double strike from Marcos Llorente.

It made for a satisfying ending at Anfield.

And while the ECHO was in attendance and provided our usual level of coverage, here's how the national media viewed another important result for Arne Slot's side.

READ MORE:UEFA consider investigation after Atletico staff member 'spat towards Liverpool fans' in Diego Simeone row

Writing in The Times, Paul Joyce pondered the debut for Liverpool's new £125million British record signing.

"It is pertinent to wonder just what Alexander Isak, who made his long awaited debut, thought of it all," he says.

Liverpool did not need him to start their Champions League campaign on a winning note, but there was evidence to suggest he will shape matches in their favour in the future.

"The fascination over exactly how Slot juggles his attacking riches in the event of them all being available will not end here, primarily because it will always lead to more questions."

Barney Ronay of The Guardian continued on the theme of the Sweden international.

"Now witness the firepower of this fully operational Death Star," he pens.

In part for the sheer event glamour, the rubbernecking aspect, like witnessing a personal appearance at a shopping centre by your favourite controversial reality TV star.

"But also for the sheer data overload in a thrillingly open game dotted with wildness: from a Diego Simeone crowd?surf red?card climax, to the endless tactical complexities that continue to flow from Arne Slot’s attempts to re-gear his Liverpool team along these giddily attacking lines."

Over at the Daily Mail, Dominic King looked at the growing partnership between Isak and fellow new signing Florian Wirtz.

"What madness this was but, then again, Liverpool versus Atletico Madrid had the potential to be a blockbuster, a night when the stadium crackled with nervous energy, and so it proved," he types.

"It became an occasion that seemed to have a place in next May’s final in Budapest riding on it.

"Slot will have much to digest in the next 48 hours and, for sure, will bemoan the two goals conceded but when he settles down, his eye will be drawn to one passage of play, especially, put together by a dynamic duo who gave a tantalising glimpse into the future.

"Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak should, of course, be good for their combined fee of £241million, but you take nothing for granted in football.