Liverpool kicked off their Champions League campaign in dramatic fashion as Virgil van Dijk powered home a stoppage-time winner to seal a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
On Arne Slot’s 47th birthday, the Reds delivered late heroics that had the Kop bouncing, ensuring the new manager celebrated with three points in Europe.
The hosts flew out of the blocks, with Andy Robertson inadvertently opening the scoring when Mohamed Salah’s free-kick deflected off him and past Jan Oblak. Moments later, Salah doubled the lead after linking up neatly with Ryan Gravenberch to slot home.
Debutant Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s £125 million summer signing from Newcastle, showed flashes of promise in his 57-minute display. The Swedish striker went close on a couple of occasions but couldn’t mark his bow with a goal, despite testing Oblak.
Atletico Madrid refused to lie down, with Marcos Llorente continuing his fine record at Anfield. He pulled one back in first-half stoppage time before grabbing a late equaliser that stunned the home crowd.
Just as it seemed Diego Simeone’s side had snatched a point, Van Dijk rose highest in added time to thunder a header into the corner and secure Liverpool a memorable win.
The dramatic finish means Liverpool begin their Champions League journey with three crucial points, while Atletico are left ruing their defensive lapses in the closing stages.
