Diego Simeone hails ‘massive’ Liverpool player who did something brilliant against Atletico Madrid

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool avoided a late scare to secure three points against Atletico Madrid in their UEFA Champions League opener.

A header from Virgil van Dijk in the 92nd minute ensured the Reds escaped unscathed, despite squandering a two-goal lead as a double by Marcos Llorente cancelled out goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah.

Diego Simeone was incensed after the Dutchman scored in stoppage time – receiving a red card following an altercation with a fan – but was humble enough to praise the Liverpool No.4 after the final whistle.

Diego Simeone applauds Virgil van Dijk

Speaking in his press conference after the game, the Argentine said: “It was very hard fought in the second half. Pretty even-stevens again. We were always looking for an opportunity, trying to find a space to get in. We were changing things around, made a couple of substitutions, moved positionally, and Llorente moved forward.

“We managed to equalise, and after that equaliser, in the last few minutes, the team began to be pushed further and further back, and your legs start to suffer. You’re tired by that time. There was a corner, and after the corner, they scored a massive header. It was a great, great goal from Virgil van Dijk. We got a great opponent. Congratulations to them.”

The Netherlands international was at his imperious best against the Spanish giants.

Van Dijk won six out of seven aerial duels – including the effort which sealed all three points – and also completed 85 of his attempted 88 passes with a 97% success rate.

The 34-year-old also made a key pass, took 105 touches of the ball and was not dribbled past once, on a night where he looked at his formidable best.

What Diego Simeone said about Virgil van Dijk before UEFA Champions League thriller

Simeone – who also praised Arne Slot – appears to be a huge fan of Van Dijk as he also praised the Liverpool captain before the game.

The Atletico Madrid boss said in his pre-match press conference: “They are direct, they have very quick transitions, they interpret the game in a very simple way to get players into the box, they use their wide players and they have a wonderful centre-back who can knock the ball around.”

Van Dijk – who Jamie Carragher now calls a club legend – certainly knocked the ball around with ease, successfully finding a teammate with three of his attempted four long passes as he helped Liverpool stretch Atletico Madrid.

The man born in Breda arguably looks to be getting better despite the fact he turned 34 in July, which is testament to his professionalism and also his pure ability.