Liverpool showed resilience in their Champions League opener, edging Atlético Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling contest that swung dramatically at the Anfield.
Embed from Getty ImagesOpening the scoresheet with a strike from Andy Robertson struck in the fourth minute and assisted by Mohammed Salah, before Salah himself doubled the advantage just two minutes later, assisted by Ryan Gravenberch.
Atlético, however, refused to fold. Robin Le Normand picked up a booking on the half-hour mark, but they clawed their way back into the game just before the half-time. Marcos Llorente, with a well-taken strike got a goal just before half-time, assisted by Giacomo Raspadori. Tensions ran high, with Clément Lenglet also going into the referee’s book before the interval.
The second half opened with a flurry of substitutions as Diego Simeone looked to tilt the momentum, introducing Koke and Alexander Sørloth and Nahuel Molina. Arne Slot responded in kind, bringing on Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and Alexis Mac Allister to refresh his side.
Embed from Getty ImagesBradley was quickly in the referee’s notebook with a yellow in the 70th minute, and soon enough, Atlético’s persistence paid off. In the 81st minute, Llorente struck again, his fourth goal in just two appearances against Liverpool, to level the score at 2-2.
Just when it seemed Atlético might snatch a point, Liverpool delivered the final twist. Close to stoppage time, Virgil van Dijk rose highest to power home a header from Dominik Szoboszlai’s delivery, sealing all three points in the 92nd minute. Simeone’s furious protests over the goal earned him a straight red card moments later, adding to Atlético’s frustrations.
After seven minutes of added time, the whistle confirmed Liverpool’s 3-2 win and Atlético were left to reflect on missed chances and a coach sent to the stands.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Pejuola Ransome
INMR FOOTBALL 
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