Virgil van Dijk the hero as Liverpool leave it late again

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Liverpool 3 - 2 Atletico Madrid

Arne Slot's side are certainly making a habit of these late winners. This time it was Virgil van Dijk with the deciding goal.

Author | William G

Stadium | Anfield

Super News Football | Champions League | Liverpool v Atletico Madrid | Pre match scenes

Virgil van Dijk’s header in the 92nd minute sealed the victory, marking the third time this season that the side have struck in stoppage time. 

Arne Slot’s side had looked in danger of letting the game slip away after surrendering a two-goal lead, established inside the opening six minutes by Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. Marcos Llorente scored twice for Atletico, but Liverpool’s habit of finding late winners endured.

A closer look at what happened

Liverpool made the perfect start, taking the lead inside four minutes in fortunate circumstances. Salah’s low free-kick deflected off Robertson, wrong-footing Jan Oblak and finding the net.

Two minutes later, the Reds doubled their advantage with a slick move. Salah exchanged passes with Ryan Gravenberch before calmly finishing past Oblak.

READ MORE | Defence key for Spurs against Villarreal

READ MORE | Mbappe penalties rescue Real Madrid

Liverpool dominated much of the first half, with Salah curling narrowly wide and Isak missing a couple of chances on his debut. But in stoppage time Atletico pulled one back when Marcos Llorente’s shot deflected off Ibrahima Konaté and crept into the far corner.

Alisson produced a fine save early in the second half to deny Giacomo Raspadori, and midway through the half Liverpool squandered a golden chance to restore their two-goal cushion when Salah struck the post from close range.

Super News Football | Champions League | Liverpool v Atletico Madrid | View from the stands

With nine minutes left, Atletico drew level as Llorente struck again, his volley taking a deflection off Alexis Mac Allister before beating Alisson.

Yet given Liverpool’s habit of striking late this season, belief remained inside Anfield. That faith was rewarded deep into added time when Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner was met by Van Dijk, the defender powering home a header to spark delirium among the home supporters.

In the mayhem that followed, Atletico coach Diego Simeone was shown a red card after appearing to get involved in an altercation with supporters behind his technical area.

Location: Anfield, Liverpool, UK

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