By Matthew Elder

Copyright scotsman

Andy Robertson marked his first Liverpool start of the season with the opening goal in the dramatic 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Scotland captain has found himself on the bench for Arne Slot’s side this season after losing his left-back berth to Milos Kerkez, the £40million summer signing from Bournemouth. His only two full matches had come for Scotland as the 31-year-old led his country to a draw against Denmark and a win over Belarus earlier this month in the World Cup qualifiers. The former Hull City and Dundee United man was given an extended runout as a substitute in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Burnley on Saturday with a 38th minute introduction off the bench as head coach Slot was concerned Kerkez, already on a booking, was in danger of being sent off in what has been a scratchy start at his new club. Robertson brought an immediate improvement down the left side to provide a reminder he is far from a spent force and Slot responded by restoring him to the starting line-up for the visit of Madrid – ironically the team he was linked with during the summer before opting to stay at Anfield for the final year of his contract despite knowing he was most likely going to be a back-up. And the long-serving defender repaid the manager’s faith by putting his side in front with just four minutes on the clock as his touch deflected Mo Salah’s free-kick past Jan Oblak in the Madrid net, with a packed Anfield responding by singing Robertson’s name. Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead just two minutes later with a close range finish in a lightning quick start for the hosts, but Madrid fought back to level the match through a Marcos Llorente double. His first came in first-half stoppage time before a volleyed equaliser from outside the box silenced the home support with 10 minutes remaining as the La Liga side looked to snatch a point. Liverpool were not be denied victory, however, with Virgil van Dijk powering home a header from a corner kick in stoppage time to secure the three points on matchday one, although Robertson was no longer on the pitch at the time having been replaced by Kerkez in the 86th minute. Robertson was interviewed by Sky Sports in the tunnel before kick-off, and spoke of his battle to win back his Liverpool starting place. “It’s been difficult, but the communication with the manager and coaches has been very good,” he said. “We’ve always kept that good relationship. I knew there was going to be more competition this season, and more risk of me not playing. “But I knew if I kept doing what I’m doing I would hopefully get my chance and it’s up to me to try and keep doing that. I got good minutes with the international team which helped massively to keep match fitness, and then probably played a bit more than expected at the weekend due to circumstances, and I’m delighted to start tonight.” Elsewhere in the Champions League, Harry Kane scored twice as Chelsea fell to a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.