Antoine Griezmann gives gift to Liverpool star after Champions League showdown
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Antoine Griezmann’s night might have ended in disappointment, but the Atletico Madrid star still found the time to leave a gift for one of Liverpool’s players on Wednesday.
The Reds got their Champions League campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-2 win over their Spanish counterparts at Anfield, although - not for the first time this season - they needed yet another dramatic late winner to get their victory.
Marcos Llorente’s double looked to have earned Atletico a point after Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah’s early goals, but Virgil van Dijk stepped up with a stoppage-time header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner to make it five wins out of five in the league and in Europe for Liverpool.
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The drama all proved a little too much for Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who was sent off in the dying stages after clashing with Liverpool fans in a remarkable outburst.
While his manager might have lost control, Griezmann showed much more restraint, with the forward spotted chatting with fellow Frenchman Hugo Ekitike after the game.
Ekitike earned his first call-up to Didier Deschamps’ senior side during the most recent international break and made his debut for his country against Ukraine.
Although Griezmann retired from international duty last year, the 34-year-old still had time on Wednesday to offer a gift for his country’s newest debutant, gifting his shirt to Ekitike after Atletico’s defeat to Liverpool.
The Reds striker proudly showed off the gift on his Instagram account, while also calling Griezmann a "legend."
Ekitike will now be aiming to earn his place back in Liverpool’s side for Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, having started on the bench against Atletico as Alexander Isak was handed his first start for the club following his deadline day signing.
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Explaining his plan for Ekitike following Isak’s arrival, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: "Hugo could be a player that plays off the left side, not like the way Cody [Gakpo] or Mo [Salah] is playing with holding the width and taking on the one vs ones, but he could become a second striker.
"But in general, I think both of them [Isak and Ekitike] are more No.9s than any other position."
Liverpool.com says: A nice touch of class from Griezmann on a night in which his manager really didn't cover himself in glory
Hopefully the Reds will start to make things a little easier for themselves now.