Anfield erupted in ecstasy in the closing seconds on Wednesday as Virgil van Dijk rose to powerfully head home a corner in the 92nd minute, cancelling out Atlético Madrid’s fightback and delivering a dramatic 3–2 win for Liverpool in their Champions League opener.
What had begun as a confident attacking display from the Reds turned into a tense, back-and-forth affair, with Atlético showing their characteristic resilience. The match was as much a test of mental strength as of skill, and in the end Liverpool’s late-game experience proved decisive.
Liverpool shot out of the blocks inside the first six minutes with two goals that looked to have set the tone for a comfortable night. Andy Robertson broke the deadlock in the fourth minute in his first start of the season, when his positioning in Liverpool’s free-kick routine saw the ball deflected off him past Jan Oblak.
Two minutes later Mohamed Salah doubled the lead in more conventional style, combining with Ryan Gravenberch before slotting past the Atlético goalkeeper. The hosts looked sharp, fluid and full of intent.
But Atlético, well-coached and dangerous in transition, began to settle into the game. Marcos Llorente, often the thorn in Liverpool’s side in European nights, pulled one back in the dying moments of the first half—just past 45+3 minutes—when a move initiated deep by Giacomo Raspadori invited Atlético forward, and his pass fed Llorente whose toe-poke slipped through Konaté’s legs.
The goal gave the visitors belief, just as Liverpool may have been thinking of taking a two-goal cushion into the break.
WE START WITH A WIN!! #UCL pic.twitter.com/0iYPJpj9l4
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2025
After the break Liverpool pressed for a third, attempting to regain control. Alexander Isak made his first start in a Reds shirt, a high-profile signing this summer, and though visibly still working back to full match fitness he had moments which hinted at the attacking threat Liverpool hoped he would bring.
He linked up neatly with Florian Wirtz; there were flashes of promise. At the same time, Liverpool’s midfield and defence, though under some pressure, looked capable of managing Atlético’s probing.
Atlético, though, were never going to lie down. Llorente struck again in the 81st minute with a volley—deflected, yet lightning-fast—levelling the score and setting up a frantic finale.
From that moment, the momentum shifted: Liverpool, visibly shaken by the loss of control, had to fight to regain composure whilst Atlético smelled the possibility of an unlikely point. The atmosphere in Anfield grew tense, anticipation mounting.
What followed was a display of character. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, have already developed a habit this season of late winners—this was their fifth match in a row in which they had to be rescued in the final stretch.
In stoppage time, Dominik Szoboszlai swung in a corner from the Kop end and van Dijk, rising above the Atlético defence, met it with a powerful header that left Oblak no chance. As the net rippled, there was release. The relief was evident among players, staff and supporters alike.
Diego Simeone, ever passionate, saw red shortly after the goal following a heated exchange involving his touchline position and fans behind the Liverpool bench. He was escorted from the technical area, his protests drawing attention to what he later said were insults and provocations throughout the evening.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot, celebrating his 47th birthday on the night, was gracious but reflective: praising his team’s heart and resilience but noting that the performance should have been more comfortable given the strong start.
Among the individual performances, Mohamed Salah stood out. Not only did he score one of Liverpool’s early goals and set up the other, but his movement and creativity throughout gave Atlético’s defence something to worry about at all times.
The debutant Isak showed flashes, linking play well in the first half and offering hope that he will grow into a major weapon for Liverpool as the season progresses. Defensively, van Dijk of course takes the headlines with his match-winner, but his leadership and composure under pressure were as critical as the final touch.