Liverpool 3–2 Atlético Madrid: Van Dijk’s Last-Gasp Header Seals Anfield Thriller on Slot’s Birthday
- lfckopites
- Sep 17
- 4 min read
Liverpool marked their 50th year of European football with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Atlético Madrid at Anfield, hitting the milestone of 600 European goals in a night that had everything – early fireworks, controversy, wasted chances, and a captain’s defining moment deep into stoppage time. On top of it all, it came on Arne Slot’s birthday, with his side delivering the perfect gift.
First-Half Fireworks
The game exploded into life within minutes. In the 4th minute, a Salah free-kick took a deflection and fell kindly to Andy Robertson, who swept Liverpool ahead. Just two minutes later, Mohamed Salah produced a moment of trademark brilliance, cutting inside onto his left foot and curling into the corner to double the lead.
The Egyptian looked razor sharp, constantly threatening Atlético’s back line. In the stands, the 20th-minute tribute to Diogo Jota was a spine-tingling moment, fans from both sides joining in song – almost punctuated by a Salah wonderstrike that whistled just wide.
The night was also notable for Alexander Isak’s Liverpool debut. The new signing showed sparks of quality, drawing energy from the fans with every involvement, testing the goalkeeper with a couple of half chances, and showing glimpses of what he will bring to the Reds’ attack.
Atlético, as ever under Diego Simeone, were combative and disruptive. Just before half-time, controversy struck: Marcos Llorente pulled one back, though Liverpool protested that an Atleti player had blocked Alisson’s view. VAR reviewed but let the goal stand – but questions remained over Ibrahima Konaté’s positioning, which allowed the play to develop.
HT: Liverpool 2–1 Atlético
Second-Half Struggles and Missed Chances
Atlético came out sharper after the break, and Alisson was forced into a big save from Raspadori to deny the equaliser. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz found space between the lines on the right-hand side, showing his glimpses of class with sharp passing and creative movement.
On 57 minutes, Arne Slot made changes, bringing on Ekitike, Bradley, and Mac Allister coming on for debutant Isak, Frimpong, and Gakpo.
Liverpool could – and should – have killed the game. In the 65th minute, Salah hit the post after a slick counter led by Szoboszlai and Wirtz. Just minutes later, Ekitike squandered a chance after another incisive Wirtz pass released Salah.
The Kop had a special moment in the 73rd minute, when Rio Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest-ever Champions League player, greeted with chants of “Rio, Rio”.
But Atlético punished Liverpool’s profligacy. In the 80th minute, Llorente volleyed in after a deflected Mac Allister clearance, silencing Anfield for a moment.
Captain Fantastic Delivers
As the match headed into stoppage time, Liverpool pushed relentlessly. Szoboszlai’s set-pieces caused chaos but found no finishing touch. Atlético dropped deep, Simeone growing more animated with every passing second.
Then came the defining moment. In the 94th minute, captain Virgil van Dijk rose highest to meet a corner and thundered his header past Oblak. Anfield erupted, Simeone was sent off in fury, and Liverpool had their dramatic winner.
L.F.C Kopite’s By the Numbers
Possession: Liverpool 58% – Atlético 42%
Total Shots: Liverpool 17 – Atlético 9
Shots on Target: Liverpool 7 – Atlético 4
Expected Goals (xG): Liverpool 2.8 – Atlético 1.4
Pass Accuracy: Liverpool 85% – Atlético 78%
Corners: Liverpool 8 – Atlético 3
The stats underline the flow of the game: Liverpool controlled the ball, created the better chances, and had more territory — but their wastefulness in front of goal almost cost them.
L.F.C Kopite’s Standout Performers
Mohamed Salah (9.2 rating) – A goal, an assist, hit the post, and at the heart of everything. xG (0.98) and xA (0.95) show just how influential he was.
Virgil van Dijk (9.1 rating) – A rock defensively (7 aerial duels won, 8 clearances) and the match-winning captain.
Dominik Szoboszlai – Creative, energetic, and dangerous from set pieces all night.
Ryan Gravenberch – Composed and industrious in midfield, driving play forward with real quality.
Florian Wirtz – A classy European debut for Liverpool, with 5 key passes and clever movement between the lines.
Alexander Isak – On his Liverpool debut, showed exciting glimpses with 2 efforts on goal and 3 dribbles, before making way after 58 minutes.
Alisson – A vital save against Raspadori to keep Liverpool alive.
L.F.C Kopite’s Final Word
This was a tough, hard-fought three points – the kind that really matter in Europe.
Isak and Wirtz showed glimpses of the exciting future ahead, while Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, and Van Dijk were as solid and dependable as ever. But the defensive issues are still there for all to see: Konaté’s lapse in the first-half goal, shaky transitions, and a lack of control at key moments kept Atlético in the contest far longer than they should have been.
Still, this was all about finding a way. And with Anfield roaring, Van Dijk leading, and Salah sparkling, Liverpool once again showed the character and drama that has defined their European story for half a century.
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