Jamie Carragher blown away by Liverpool player who completed the most passes in win vs Atletico Madrid
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(Credit: Getty, Imago)
Edward Bazeley
Thu 18 September 2025 8:36, UK
Virgil van Dijk’s performance wowed Jamie Carragher as Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.
On 17 September, Liverpool left it late to beat Atletico Madrid 3-2, with Van Dijk scoring a 92nd-minute winner.
However, Marcos Llorente’s brace ensured that Van Dijk’s stoppage-time header was needed to hand Liverpool their win over Atletico.
Van Dijk scored the winner for Liverpool (Credit Imago)
The Reds’ Champions League win over Diego Simeone’s side witnessed Alexander Isak make his Liverpool debut.
Meanwhile, alongside his winning goal, Van Dijk produced an outstanding performance for Arne Slot’s men, completing more pass than anyone else involved in the match with 85.
The 34-year-old also completed eight clearances, including four headed clearances as Slot’s men got the better of Simeone’s men.
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Meanwhile, speaking live on CBS Sports on 17 September, Jamie Carragher said: “I don’t like describing Van Dijk as the best centre-back.
“At Liverpool, a lot of people get called legends because they won the league or they won the Champions League.
“I’d call them giants of the club, Stevie (Gerrard), Kenny Dalglish, (Graeme) Souness, Alan Hansen, John Barnes.
“The top seven or eight players.
Without a doubt he (Van Dijk) is right in the middle of that.
He will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play for Liverpool.
“Not one of the greatest centre-backs, one of the greatest players.”
Liverpool’s triumph over Atletico Madrid saw the Anfield club continue their recent habit of leaving it late to secure their victory.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid top three passersNumber of completed passesVirgil van Dijk85Dominik Szoboszlai72Ibrahima Konate67Van Dijk excelled against Atletico Madrid
The earliest winning goal of Liverpool’s season so far came when Dominik Szoboszlai scored in their 1-0 victory over Arsenal on 31 August.
Their tendency to win matches late on epitomises the elite mentality that guided Slot’s side towards their Premier League title last season.
However, leaving it so late to secure all three points may not prove to be sustainable, and Liverpool should begin winning by wider margins amid the excellent talent in their squad.
When Salah put the Reds 2-0 up in the sixth minute, Slot’s side appeared on their way to a significantly more comfortable result than the one they earned via a stoppage-time winner.
Liverpool should now strive to beat Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday, 20 September, in a more convincing fashion.
Meanwhile, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett exclusively told Liverpool News 247 that Atletico’s first goal should have been ruled out.