Van Dijk’s late header earns Liverpool dramatic win against Atletico Madrid

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View image in fullscreenVan Dijk’s late header earns Liverpool dramatic win against Atlético Madrid

It should have been a lot easier than this for Liverpool but the 92nd-minute roar to celebrate Virgil van Dijk’s winner against Atlético Madrid made the hardship worthwhile.

After scoring twice in the opening six minutes through Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, Liverpool were galloping to victory but were pegged back by two goals from Marcos Llorente, only for their captain to head home a late corner and send Anfield wild in the process.

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Many expected Alexander Isak’s first experience of being a Liverpool player at Anfield to begin on the bench but Arne Slot gave him a debut from the start, eager to see how long he would last, suggesting an hour would be his maximum.



Mohamed Salah smashed hard and low, firing the shot against Robertson’s calf, which deceived Jan Oblak and sent an already raucous Anfield delirious in the fourth minute.

It knocked Atlético off their stride and boosted Liverpool’s confidence.

It was the quickest Liverpool had achieved a two-goal lead in their European history.

The ball fizzed around between red shirts as Liverpool repeatedly stretched the Atlético midfield and backline.

Salah twice came close to adding to the scoreline but Atlético were allowed to cling on.

Considering Liverpool have left it late in their four league victories thus far, this felt like a welcome change inside Anfield as tension and nerves were alleviated.

Liverpool did not need any help but the referee, Maurizio Mariani, tried to give a penalty for a phantom handball, supposedly committed by Clément Lenglet when Jeremie Frimpong’s cross hit his stomach.

The ball went to an unmarked Salah but he hit the post.

The tension returned from the ether as Liverpool missed chances to finish.