A night of high drama at Anfield saw the Reds clinch a last-gasp 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid, a victory marred by a fiery confrontation between Diego Simeone and home supporters after the final whistle.
Liverpool’s Champions League campaign kicked off in heart-stopping fashion on Wednesday, with captain Virgil van Dijk soaring to score a stoppage-time winner, only for the celebrations to be overshadowed by a furious incident involving Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
The Argentine coach was shown a red card in the aftermath of the 92nd-minute header after he became embroiled in a heated exchange with Liverpool fans behind the dugout. The confrontation capped a dramatic collapse and recovery from his side, which had fought back from a 2-0 deficit to level the game late on.
The match began as a dream for the hosts. Mohamed Salah, outshining the club’s record signing Alexander Isak on his full debut, was instrumental. He created the opener when his wicked free-kick deflected off Andy Robertson past a wrong-footed Jan Oblak, and then scored a superb solo goal himself just moments later.
For a while, it seemed Liverpool would “wipe the floor” with the struggling Spanish giants. However, a familiar foe, Marcos Llorente—the scourge of Liverpool in a famous comeback five years ago—struck just before halftime to give Atletico a lifeline.
Despite dominating and coming close through Salah, who hit the post, Liverpool were punished for not killing the game off. With nine minutes remaining, Llorente’s deflected volley looped beyond Alisson Becker to stun Anfield and seemingly steal a point.
But the drama wasn’t over. With the clock ticking down, Van Dijk rose completely unmarked to thunder in a corner, sending the home crowd into delirium. The goal immediately ignited tensions on the touchline, leading to Simeone’s dismissal.
After the match, an emotional Simeone did not justify his reaction but explained his frustration. “My reaction isn’t justifiable but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes?” he said.
While the result extends Liverpool’s perfect start to the season, manager Arne Slot was left wanting more. “A game like this should not have gone to a late winner,” he admitted, pointing to his team’s missed chances. The victory, though dramatic, also exposed ongoing defensive concerns, with the team having conceded two or more goals in four of their six matches this season.
Ultimately, the night belonged to Liverpool, but it ended with a sour note, leaving a cloud over what was a breathtaking display of European football.
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