Van Dijk’s stoppage-time header seals Liverpool’s win as Simeone erupts on Anfield touchline

It should have been far simpler for Liverpool. But in true Anfield fashion, the night ended with a deafening roar when Virgil van Dijk rose in the 92nd minute to head home a decisive winner against Atlético Madrid. The captain’s towering strike capped off another dramatic late show, securing a 3-2 victory that keeps Arne Slot’s perfect start alive.

Liverpool have now won five games on the spin across competitions, each sealed with goals beyond the 80th minute. The pattern is becoming a hallmark of Slot’s reign. Yet this Champions League opener began in ruthless fashion. Within six minutes, the hosts were two up and seemingly cruising.

Ryan Gravenberch drew an early foul at the edge of the area. From the resulting free-kick, Mohamed Salah blasted powerfully at goal before the ball deflected onto Andy Robertson, who fortuitously bundled it in. Moments later, Gravenberch combined exquisitely with Salah, threading passes through Atlético’s defence. Salah, calm and clinical, slid the ball beneath Jan Oblak for 2-0.

For a spell, Atlético looked overrun, their rigid 4-4-2 dismantled by Liverpool’s speed and precision. Salah could have extended the lead further, missing two promising chances before the interval. Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s record signing, made his debut but it was Gravenberch and Salah who dominated proceedings.

Just as Anfield braced for a comfortable night, Atlético’s persistence found a foothold. Marcos Llorente, often an unsung figure, poached a scrappy goal in first-half stoppage time. His toe-poke slipped through Ibrahima Konaté’s legs and past Alisson. The half-time whistle blew with the Spaniards unexpectedly back in the contest.

The second period saw Liverpool wobble. Isak, clipped by Robin Le Normand, soldiered on but looked weary and was replaced by Hugo Ekitiké on 58 minutes. By then, Simeone’s side had regained composure. Their reward came when Llorente struck again. A looping pass dropped onto his foot and his volley, aided by a deflection off Alexis Mac Allister, wrong-footed Alisson. From nowhere, Atlético were level at 2-2.

Tension thickened. Anfield grew restless as Liverpool wasted chances, Salah rattling the post in frustration. Simeone patrolled his technical area with trademark intensity, barking orders, his side now believing they might steal a point. But as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, Liverpool’s resilience once more surfaced.

Dominik Szoboszlai whipped in a corner, the Kop urging one last push. Van Dijk outmuscled his marker, leapt highest, and thumped a header beyond Oblak. The stadium erupted, relief and ecstasy colliding in the stands.

The drama did not end there. Simeone erupted on the touchline, furiously remonstrating with referee Maurizio Mariani within seconds of the goal. His protests lacked clarity but his anger was volcanic. The Italian official, unmoved, dismissed him from the dugout. As Simeone stormed towards the tunnel, he confronted a home supporter, later claiming he had been insulted. Stewards intervened to guide him away.

Liverpool’s latest Champions League campaign is now aligned with their domestic surge. Slot’s side have Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and PSV to navigate before Christmas. Momentum was essential, and Van Dijk’s late heroics ensured it remains firmly on their side.

For Atlético, the night ended in rancour. For Liverpool, it ended with familiar defiance — victory snatched in the dying moments, fuelled by spirit and belief. Once again, Anfield waited, held its breath, and erupted at the last