Klopp’s men beat PSG 3-2 at Anfield, Atletico and Dortmund win as Napoli play draw
Liverpool left it late but showed Paris Saint-Germain have plenty of work to do if they are to challenge for a first-ever Champions League title as Roberto Firmino struck a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory at Anfield on Tuesday.
Despite the late drama, victory was well deserved for last season's finalists who dominated throughout and bounced back from blowing a 2-0 first-half lead to take the early advantage in Group C.
Daniel Sturridge and a James Milner penalty put the hosts in command before Thomas Meunier reduced PSG's arrears.
Having kept Kylian Mbappe and the world's most expensive player Neymar quiet for almost the entire match, Liverpool seemed set to pay a heavy price for one poor pass by Mohamed Salah as Mbappe swept home seven minutes from time in front of a stunned Klopp.
But Firmino, who started on the bench due to an eye injury suffered against Tottenham on Saturday, had the final say as he twisted and turned before firing into the far corner to stretch Liverpool's perfect start to the season to six games.
"You can bring Bobby Firmino on and that helps a lot," said Klopp after the Brazilian celebrated by covering his injured left eye. "I loved his goal celebration."
PSG crumbled on their Champions League travels to Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the past two seasons and their ability to challenge for the competition under new boss Thomas Tuchel was again questioned as they struggled to contain Liverpool's greater speed and power in midfield.
"Never at any point did we lose our confidence. We played with bravery and strength," insisted Tuchel.
"But this is Anfield. This is what Liverpool do and when they press you it is difficult."
Sturridge shines
Up front, Firmino's absence opened the door for Sturridge to make his first Champions League start for the club.
"It is great to contribute to the team today," said Sturridge. "It is a team here and everybody is going to add to the wealth of the club."
The Englishman has been dogged by injury and lack of form during Klopp's nearly three years in charge, but took his chance on the big stage by powering home a pinpoint curling cross from Andy Robertson to open the scoring on the half-hour mark.
"I told him this is the best shape (you are in) since I know you physically, and you have to use that," said Klopp. "He played a super game, (scored a) super goal."
Six minutes later, PSG's deficit was doubled when Juan Bernat tripped Georginio Wijnaldum inside the area and Milner slammed the resulting penalty into the bottom corner.
However, the visitors were handed a lifeline through right-back Meunier, rather than one of their famed front three, as the Belgian skilfully readjusted to volley home Robertson's miscued clearance.
And then Seven minutes from time, Salah's slack pass was intercepted and quickly fed into Neymar, with Van Dijk's tackle on the Brazilian only rebounding into the path of Mbappe to fire home.
Klopp responded by replacing Salah with Xherdan Shaqiri as Liverpool instantly went in search of a winner.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's deflected free-kick came back off the woodwork before they finally got their reward when Firmino powered home.
Red Star frustrate Napoli
Belgrade: Former European Cup winners Red Star Belgrade held Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli to a creditable 0-0 draw Tuesday as the Serbian club made their debut in the Champions League group stage.
Lorenzo Insigne rattled the crossbar in the first half for Napoli, while Red Star defender Milan Rodic made a vital goal-line clearance to deny Jose Callejon in the Group C encounter.
Home goalkeeper Milan Borjan also produced a sharp stop to keep out an effort from Poland international Arkadiusz Milik, as Red Star were restricted to a late attempt from Richmond Boakye.
"We didn't do much wrong, we controlled the game but the finishing was lacking," said Ancelotti, who took over at Napoli in the summer.
"It's difficult to play against a defence like that of Red Star. Our forwards were alone in front of the goalkeeper several times but we didn't have that bit of luck. I think we could have won."
Atletico undo Monaco
Monaco: Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Monaco 2-1 in their Champions League Group A opener on Tuesday with star strikers Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann detonating the fightback.
The visitors had fallen behind against the run of play in the 18th minute when winger Samuel Grandsir forced the ball home in a goalmouth scramble after good work from Radamel Falcao.
But Costa then ran onto a wonderful flick-on from Griezmann to fire a snap-shot low and hard past Monaco's onrushing Swiss stopper Diego Benaglio to level the scores on the half-hour.
Jose Maria Gimenez — remembered for crying on the pitch when France beat Uruguay 2-0 in the World Cup quarter-finals in Russia — then headed home a corner in first-half stoppage-time to take the wind out of Monaco's sails at a key moment.
"It's always difficult to win the first match of the Champions League away from home," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.
"Griezmann is growing every game. He's a decisive player. He did well in the right moments and his link-up with Costa was good."
Pulisic seals win at Brugge
brugge: Christian Pulisic celebrated his 20th birthday in style on Tuesday with a lucky late goal as Borussia Dortmund won 1-0 at Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The US international claimed the winner in fortuitous fashion by charging down a clearance from Brugge defender Matej Mitrovic which looped over the goalkeeper on 85 minutes.
It was a huge slice of good fortune but one that ended Dortmund's 10-match winless streak in the Champions League.
"In the end we won, but there is definitely room for improvement," admitted Dortmund captain Marco Reus. We have to keep working hard to play better.”
"Currently, we are not playing the kind of football we want to, but we are winning and we'll take that."
While Pulisic spared Dortmund's blushes in Belgium on his 100th appearance for the club, it was a bad night for Mario Goetze.