Liverpool edge Atletico Madrid 3-2 with last-gasp Van Dijk goal

LIVERPOOL  –  Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk headed home a last-gasp goal in stoppage time to lead Arne Slot’s men to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the opening game of their Champions League campaign on Wednesday at Anfield.

The game appeared headed for a draw after Marcos Llorente scored twice to pull the Spaniards back into the game – before Van Dijk’s header from a corner in the 92nd minute. Atletico manager Diego Simeone was sent off moments later after having to be pulled away from the crowd. Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah also scored and set up another on an entertaining evening that also saw the Reds debut of British record signing Alexander Isak.

Liverpool stormed out of the gate with two goals before the game was six minutes old. Andy Robertson struck in the fourth minute in his first start of the season when Salah’s free-kick ricocheted off him and over the line past goalkeeper Jan Oblak who was rooted to the spot. Salah bagged a goal of his own two minutes later when he muscled through three Atletico defenders after a quick one-two with Ryan Gravenberch, then slotted into the far corner from an angle.