Virgil van Dijk sent Liverpool fans into ecstasy with a stoppage-time winner tonight, while also triggering a massive meltdown from Atletico Madrid’s manager Diego Simeone. True to Liverpool’s style, Arne Slot’s team clinched victory in the most nail-biting way possible—once again squandering a 2-0 lead before snatching a last-minute winner for the third time this season.
Marcos Llorente, no stranger to scoring at Anfield, seemed to have secured a draw for Atletico with a powerful volley. But from a stoppage-time corner, Liverpool’s captain rose to the occasion and ensured the Merseysiders started their Champions League journey with a win.
As Van Dijk celebrated by running toward the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, the fiery Simeone was visibly furious, arguing with everyone on the touchline and even spectators in the front row of the Main Stand. After some pushing and shoving in the technical area, the Atletico boss confronted the fourth official before being sent off by the referee.
Van Dijk’s late winner added to Liverpool’s usual Champions League drama and chaos!
Liverpool deserved their win, delivering their best 90-minute performance of the season so far, with Florian Wirtz impressing the crowd. Despite several missed chances that seemed to haunt them when Llorente equalized late, Van Dijk stepped up once again—just like in last season’s title run-in against West Ham—to secure the three points, causing wild celebrations both in the stands and on the touchline.
Simeone, known for his theatrical antics during Atletico’s 2020 win at Anfield, was as irritable as ever, spending much of the game on the touchline rather than in his technical area. He had no grounds to complain about the winning goal, which was cleanly scored with no fouls in the penalty area. In fact, Atletico were lucky their first goal counted, as Antoine Griezmann was offside and appeared to block Alisson Becker’s view during Llorente’s strike.
Fortunately, the VAR decision didn’t go against Liverpool, who continue to secure victories in the most dramatic and unpredictable ways!
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