Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid have been narrowly beaten by Liverpool in their opening Champions League match of the season, in what was another fantastic Anfield encounter between these two sides.

It was the worst possible start for Atleti, as they conceded twice in the opening six minutes after goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. That had rocked them massively, but credit to Diego Simeone’s side, they had the better of the play in the minutes after, as they sought an immediate response.

And in the third minute of four added on at the end of the first half, Atleti got the goal they so desperately needed. Giacomo Raspardori, who was making his first start since his summer move from Napoli, played in Marcos Llorente, who continued his excellent record at Anfield by poking the ball into the far corner, out of the reach of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Image via Clive Mason/Getty Images

Llorente scores again before late Virgil van Dijk dagger

Atleti stayed in the game throughout the second half, and with less than 10 minutes remaining, they drew level – and it was Llorente again. The ball fell his way on the edge of the penalty area, and he rocketed a volley into the back of the Liverpool net, which sparked wild scenes in the away end at Anfield.

That goal meant that Atleti did not have too long to hang out for a precious point, but they could not do it. In stoppage time, Virgil van Dijk headed home to ensure a last-gasp victory for Liverpool that they had appeared to throw away minutes earlier. In the aftermath, Simeone was sent off for clashing with supporters behind his dugout area.

It was an excellent Atleti performance at Anfield, and they can take a lot from that – but they will take zero points, which will be a disappointment.