In a contest that epitomized the relentless spirit of their recent triumphs, Liverpool launched their Champions League campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid. A stoppage-time header from captain Virgil van Dijk secured all three points after the Reds had squandered an early two-goal lead.
Liverpool came out of the blocks with breathtaking intensity, with Mohamed Salah at the heart of their early dominance. The Egyptian’s free-kick, deflected by teammate Andrew Robertson, found the back of the net just four minutes in. Salah doubled the lead two minutes later, finishing a slick one-two with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch with a smooth strike.
However, a resilient Atlético side refused to be defeated. In first-half stoppage time, Marcos Llorente pulled one back with a low shot, and then found the equalizer with a deflected volley nine minutes from time.
Amid the chaos, Liverpool’s much-hyped new signing, Alexander Isak, was substituted after 58 minutes. While he showed glimpses of his talent, Isak’s debut was overshadowed by the heroics of the club’s seasoned players.
Liverpool, who have a reputation for late winners this season, were not to be denied. In the dying moments of the match, Van Dijk rose highest to meet a corner with a powerful header, sending the home crowd into raptures. The celebration was cut short for Atlético coach Diego Simeone, who was shown a red card following an altercation near the touchline.
While Salah and Van Dijk will grab the headlines, the performance of Gravenberch was quietly stellar. The Netherlands international controlled the midfield with a commanding presence, showcasing a wide range of passing and powerful runs that were pivotal to Liverpool’s attacking flow.
Liverpool will now turn their attention to a short journey across Stanley Park for the Merseyside derby against Everton before a Carabao Cup match against Southampton.
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