Liverpool began their annual quest for European glory last night, as they took the field alongside an injury-filled Atlético de Madrid side. The home team got off to a strong start, as Robertson deflected Salah’s freekick into the net to go up 1-0. Salah’s confidence was significantly boosted by the first goal, as he dismantled the defence by linking up with Gravenberch and finished the move himself to go up 2-0 inside the first six minutes of the game.
Atlético were stunned, and it looked like it was going to be a straightforward win for the English side, but Liverpool decided to drop back for a while and Atlético were able to take control of the game. Just before half-time, Marcos Llorente pulled one back, after Atlético had been knocking on the door for a while and everything was still up for grabs coming into the second half.
Salah then had a chance to win it for Liverpool, as he found himself one on one against Oblak after a great pass from Florian Wirtz, but he was unable to convert, as his strike hit the post. Atlético naturally took advantage of Liverpool’s missed chance and equalized in the 81st minute, as Marcos Llorente’s deflected volley found its way into the goal. It looked as if history was repeating itself, like in 2020 when Llorente scored a brace to beat Liverpool at Anfield and knock them out of the round of sixteen.
In the dying minutes of the game Arne Slot, urged his team forward to try to look for a winning goal and Liverpool managed to find just that. After several corners in which Atlético struggled to hold back Liverpool’s towering centre-backs, Virgil Van Dijk, who was named player of the match, managed to break free and slot in the winning header.
This carries on their perfect streak, as they now have won their first five matches of the season. Following these decisive performances, the question arises as to who can beat them this season. Their biggest test in the Champions League will probably come on the 4th of November, when they’ll host Real Madrid at Anfield.
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