Liverpool, September 17, 2025 – Liverpool produced yet another thrilling late drama at Anfield, with captain Virgil van Dijk heading home a stoppage-time winner to secure a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in their UEFA Champions League opener. The Reds twice let a lead slip but showed their never-say-die spirit to snatch all three points against Diego Simeone's resilient side.
Liverpool stormed into a dream start, going 2-0 up within six minutes: Mohamed Salah's ferocious free kick forced an own goal from Pablo Barrios, followed by a trademark finish from the Egyptian himself. However, Marcos Llorente haunted Anfield once more, scoring a brace—including a stunning volley in the 81st minute—to level the scores and evoke memories of his 2020 heroics that eliminated Liverpool from the competition.
As the clock ticked into the 92nd minute, Van Dijk rose to meet a corner and powered home the winner, sending Anfield into ecstasy and extending Liverpool's remarkable run of late victories this season. Atletico nearly equalized moments later but couldn't find the net. Arne Slot, celebrating his birthday with the win, praised his team's mentality: "To beat Atletico, you need to match their spirit, and we did that right until the end."
Simeone lauded Llorente's "fantastic performance" but rued the late heartbreak. This result keeps Liverpool's perfect start to the season intact, with all four Premier League wins also featuring late goals. Atletico, despite the loss, showed their fighting qualities in a pulsating encounter.
As the clock ticked into the 92nd minute, Van Dijk rose to meet a corner and powered home the winner, sending Anfield into ecstasy and extending Liverpool's remarkable run of late victories this season. Atletico nearly equalized moments later but couldn't find the net. Arne Slot, celebrating his birthday with the win, praised his team's mentality: "To beat Atletico, you need to match their spirit, and we did that right until the end."
Simeone lauded Llorente's "fantastic performance" but rued the late heartbreak. This result keeps Liverpool's perfect start to the season intact, with all four Premier League wins also featuring late goals. Atletico, despite the loss, showed their fighting qualities in a pulsating encounter.
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