Virgil van Dijk rose to the occasion in stoppage time to snatch a 3-2 win for Liverpool over Atlético Madrid, preserving the Reds’ flawless streak of 15 straight home victories in European group or league phase matches.
Arne Slot’s first continental lineup without an Englishman included debutant Alexander Isak, and his side exploded into life with two goals inside six minutes.
Andy Robertson claimed his first European strike since 2019 when Mohamed Salah’s free-kick deflected off him and wrong-footed Jan Oblak, before Salah himself produced a dazzling solo effort for his 250th English club goal.
Liverpool thought they had the chance to kill the game from the spot, only for VAR to overturn a controversial handball against Clément Lenglet.
Isak twice missed opportunities to extend the lead, and Atlético punished the wastefulness as Marcos Llorente rifled home on the cusp of half-time.
With memories of their 2020 Anfield triumph resurfacing, the visitors pushed hard after the interval. Giacomo Raspadori forced Alisson into action, while Salah rattled the post at the other end.
Atlético’s pressure told when Llorente’s deflected volley found the net, triggering chaotic celebrations from Diego Simeone, who was later dismissed on the touchline.
Just as the match looked set for a share of the spoils, Van Dijk met Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner with a towering header to send the Kop into raptures.
It capped another breathless Anfield night, keeping Liverpool perfect at home in Europe while leaving Atlético empty-handed after coming so close to a comeback.
