Liverpool delivered another dramatic late twist as they opened their Champions League campaign with a win against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
Alexander Isak made his eagerly awaited Liverpool introduction, but it looked as though Arne Slot’s side would be disappointed as Atletico came from 2-0 down to level, only for Virgil van Dijk to head a stoppage time winner.
It was an established superstar rather than Liverpool’s new faces who provided the inspiration, with Mohamed Salah instrumental as the Premier League champions went 2-0 up inside six minutes.
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Salah’s free kick took a decisive deflection off Andrew Robertson to wrong-foot Atletico keeper Jan Oblak after four minutes, before the Egyptian finished off an exchange with Ryan Gravenberch by sliding home a smooth finish.
Atletico pulled one back in first-half stoppage time when Marcos Llorente poked a low shot under keeper Alisson as Liverpool appealed for offside.
The tiring Isak was substituted after 58 minutes as Liverpool continued to dominate and Salah should have added a third, only to strike the post in front of The Kop following good work by Florian Wirtz.
Llorente, who scored twice when Atletico won a Champions League last-16 game at Anfield in March 2020, repeated the trick with a volley that deflected off Alexis Mac Allister nine minutes from time.
Liverpool was not to be denied though and, as in their four Premier League wins this season, they did it again with the clock running down as Van Dijk rose to power home a corner in front of a jubilant Kop.
In the mayhem that followed, Atletico coach Diego Simeone was shown a red card after appearing to get involved in an altercation with supporters behind his technical area.
Alexander Isak got a taste of the attacking riches he will be surrounded by at Anfield, as Liverpool were 2-0 ahead before he even got his first touch in the famous red shirt.
Robertson and Salah put Liverpool in control before a typically resilient Atletico, albeit not the Champions League force they once were, clung on by their fingertips to move within sight of an unlikely point with two goals from Spain midfielder Llorente.
Liverpool was stunned, but they have form for many things this season, spurning two-goal leads against Bournemouth at Anfield and away to Newcastle United before grabbing victory late on.
Isak showed some neat touches and exciting link play before running out of steam, so he was watching from the bench as Liverpool added another chapter to the nights of Champions League drama at Anfield.
As in their four Premier League wins, they went right to the wire before winning. This time it was captain Van Dijk who was the hero with a towering header in front of The Kop deep into stoppage time.
It was the cue for more wild celebrations. Slot will have his concerns that Liverpool struggle to hold on to an advantage, but the sheer force of will made this another late, late show at Anfield.
On a night when Isak and another chaotic victory might claim top billing; the star turn was a magnificent display from midfield man Gravenberch.
The 23-year-old Netherlands international was a key figure in the ‘number six’ role as Liverpool won the Premier League at a canter last season and, after missing the opener against Bournemouth at Anfield through suspension, his performances have hit an even higher level this term.
Gravenberch was outstanding in the win at Burnley on Sunday but was even better against Atletico with a Rolls-Royce display in midfield, marked by some unstoppable surging runs through midfield, crisp tackling and wide range of passing.
The spotlight may shine on others at Liverpool, but no-one will underestimate the stellar contribution of Gravenberch in a crucial opening Champions League win.
Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday at 12:30 BST before another home game, this time against Championship side Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round, on Tuesday, 23 September.
BBC
