Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid: Van Dijk heads late winner

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was the hero with a thumping last-minute header as the Reds got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start against a typically tough Atletico Madrid.

Arne Slot’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes before the Spanish side roared back to level.

Mohamed Salah hit a free-kick that cannoned in off the shins of Andy Robertson, before Salah slalomed through to score a superb second early on.

Liverpool's winning goals this season:

88' vs Bournemouth
90+10' vs Newcastle
83' vs Arsenal
90+5' vs Burnley
90+2' vs Atletico Madrid

Slot time ⏰ pic.twitter.com/qzObhRD1Qs

But after that lightning start the Reds struggled against Diego Simeone’s dogged side – with £125m man Alexander Isak largely shut out on his Liverpool debut.

Marcos Llorente toe-poked into the far corner at the end of the first half to inject some nerves into the Anfield atmosphere.

Salah hit the post in the second half but it was the Spanish side who saw most of the ball – and Llorente equalised with a fine volley in the 81st minute.