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This video can not be played Van Dijk header snatches victory for Liverpool against Atletico At a glance Liverpool spurn two-goal lead but score late again to win Hosts give debut to £125m British record signing Alexander Isak following move from Newcastle Atletico's Marcos Llorente scores twice at Anfield for second time in a row, having also done so in 2020 Virgil van Dijk heads Liverpool's winner deep into injury time PLAYER RATER Liverpool delivered another dramatic late twist as they opened their Champions League campaign with victory over 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. 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 were 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. What did you make of Liverpool's display? This video can not be played Are late winners a problem or perfection for Liverpool? 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 were 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, Liverpool 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 Liverpool 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. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 17th September 2025 at 21: 58 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Arne Slot Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Arne Slot Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 UEFA Champions League All competitions All competitions All competitions Liverpool failed to win each of their first four UEFA Champions League games against Atlético Madrid between 2008 and 2020 (D2 L2), but won home and away against them in the last campaign when they faced (2021-22 in the group stage). Since eliminating Liverpool from the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League with wins home and away in the last 16 (4-2 on aggregate), Atlético Madrid have only won one of their last eight matches against English sides in the competition (D2 L5), winning 1-0 at Manchester United in March 2022. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has faced Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid on two previous occasions in Europe, losing home (1-3) and away (2-3) against them in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League group stage. Despite conceding six goals and scoring just three, Slot’s Feyenoord had a higher x G (3. 6 – 2. 1) and more shots (29 – 16) across the two meetings combined. Atlético Madrid have only lost one of their last 10 opening games of a UEFA Champions League campaign (W5 D4), with that lone defeat coming away to Bayern Munich in October 2020 (4-0 to the German side). Atlético Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 42% of their UEFA Champions League matches under Diego Simeone (48/115); the highest percentage for any Spanish team to play 50+ games under a specific manager, ahead of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona (40% - 20/50). Liverpool finished top of the league phase in the 2024-25 edition, winning the most games and most points of any side (P8 W7 D0 L1 – 21 points). They won all four of their league phase matches at Anfield by an aggregate score of 10-1, including a win over then reigning champions Real Madrid (2-0). Mohamed Salah has scored more goals (44) and made more assists (17) than any other Liverpool player in the UEFA Champions League. If he features here, he will also move into outright second for most appearances for the Reds in the competition, overtaking Steven Gerrard (73), and trailing only Jamie Carragher (80). Antoine Griezmann has either scored or assisted 26% of Atlético Madrid’s goals in the UEFA Champions League (51/197); the highest percentage by any player for a team who have scored 100+ goals in the competition’s history, ahead of Lionel Messi with Barcelona (25% - 155/612). Of centre back duos or trios with 5+ starts in the UEFA Champions League last season, Liverpool duo Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté had the highest clean sheet percentage of any partnership (71% - 5/7). Atlético Madrid’s Koke is one of only four players in UEFA Champions League history to make 100+ appearances under one manager (102 for Diego Simeone), along with Ryan Giggs (134), Paul Scholes (124) and Gary Neville (109), all for Manchester United under Alex Ferguson. Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk. Offside, Atletico Madrid. Javi Galán is caught offside. Foul by Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool). Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Florian Wirtz. Attempt saved. Alexander Isak (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid). Assisted by Florian Wirtz. Attempt saved. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid). Assisted by Virgil van Dijk with a headed pass. Attempt missed. Alexander Isak (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Florian Wirtz. VAR Decision: No Penalty Liverpool. Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Clément Lenglet. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Javi Galán (Atletico Madrid). Foul by Javi Galán (Atletico Madrid). Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Delay in match because of an injury Alexander Isak (Liverpool). Attempt saved. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid). Assisted by Alexander Isak. Attempt missed. Nico González (Atletico Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Clément Lenglet. Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.