Liverpool put on late show as three stars score 8/10 in dramatic Atletico Madrid win

LIVERPOOL 3-2 ATLETICO MADRID: Marcos Llorente scored twice at Anfield to cancel out a blistering start from the Premier League champions only for Virgil van Dijk to net a dramatic late winner

Virgil van Dijk stepped up at the death to plunder a dramatic winner for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid just as it seemed as though Marcos Llorente would once again prove to be the scourge of the Reds.

The Reds boasted a record of four wins from four in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday night’s big game against the La Liga outfit. The inclusion of Alexander Isak was the major talking point ahead of kick off but Liverpool’s new record signing only had a watching brief as his new team got off to a blistering start.

Andy Robertson diverted a low Mohamed Salah free-kick beyond Jan Oblak inside the opening four minutes to break the deadlock. And Salah himself swept home a trademark effort to double Liverpool’s lead just two minutes later as the Premier League champions raced out of the blocks at Anfield.

Atletico halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time through as Llorente, who struck twice at Anfield back in 2020, did so again to give Diego Simeone’s side a lifeline. And he dispatched a stunning volley late in the day as lightning struck twice on Merseyside. But it was Van Dijk who had the final say, rising highest to settle it at the death.

Here, Mirror Football rates the Liverpool players following Wednesday night’s win…

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Liverpool

Alisson 6 – Stood no chance with either goal and Liverpool’s No 1 had little else to do aside from them.

Jeremie Frimpong 7 – Involved heavily in Salah’s goal and looked a threat when going forward. Lots of fun to watch.

Ibrahima Konate 6 – Was too deep for Atletico’s goal at the end of the first half. That aside was solid at the back and showed why he is being courted elsewhere.

Virgil van Dijk 8 – Liverpool’s leader hardly puts a foot wrong. Stood firm when his team needed him and then went one better with late winner.

Andy Robertson 6 – Nicked a goal and was steady all evening. Will keep Kerkez honest this season.

Dominik Szoboszlai 6 – Steady and kept things ticking over in the Liverpool engine room.

Ryan Gravenberch 8 – Surprise package last season but now an integral cog in the Slot machine. Ran the show in the first half.

Mohamed Salah 8 – Has been quiet in the Premier League but back to his electrifying best here. Tormented Atletico’s defence at times.

Florian Wirtz 6 – Some nice touches but still not yet able to replicate his stunning Bayer Leverkusen form in a red shirt.

Cody Gakpo 5 – Frustrating night for the Dutchman and could soon face a fight for his spot in the team with Alexander Isak now fighting for a front three berth.

Alexander Isak 6 – No fireworks from Liverpool’s £125m man but he did grow into the game. Will be better for the minutes he banked and still some way of full sharpness due to a dearth of action.

Subs

Alexis Mac Allister 6 – Steady but did not as influential as we’ve become accustomed to seeing him in red.

Conor Bradley 5 – Loose touch in the box set up Llorente to plunder his second goal late in the day.

Hugo Ekitike 6 – Some nice moments but unable to make the most of two golden chances to find the net.

Rio Ngumoha 5 – Was introduced with just over 15 minutes left as Liverpool looked to see the game out.

Milos Kerkez – N/A

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