Liverpool opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with late drama as Virgil van Dijk sealed a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield. The captain called Liverpool a side that “never gives up” after his stoppage-time strike.
Arne Slot’s men have carried their Premier League momentum into Europe. They lead the domestic table with four straight wins, all sealed by late goals, and now add a dramatic European night to their early-season story.
Van Dijk: Liverpool “never gives up”
Liverpool’s skipper praised his teammates for their resilience and determination in a high-tempo clash. “It’s a team that never gives up,” Van Dijk told TNT Sports.
He admitted the game had tense moments but stressed Liverpool’s ability to respond. “Listen, I think we tried, we kept pushing for the 3-1 and obviously to concede an equaliser, a deflection, a massive deflection, was obviously not great. But we found a way again. I think we were dangerous with set pieces. They were pretty aggressive, I must say, and I’m glad I got the winner.”
Van Dijk pointed to the squad’s trademark resilience. “Eventually you have to keep going and we showed the resilience we’ve been showing for so many years. Another great European night here again. I think we have showed many times that we are capable of doing it. Today I was the lucky one with the winner and we move on.”
The defender stressed the importance of building momentum in Europe. “It’s always good to get off to a winning start, playing at home against a good opponent. Another game ticked off. Three points. And what is it, two-and-a-half days we’re back here, live on your channel, so we have to be ready for that as well.”
Asked about defensive worries, Van Dijk kept his answer short. “No.”
Slot: Mentality made the difference
Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot credited his players for matching Atletico Madrid’s famous intensity.
“If you’re going to beat a team like Atletico, which is known and has an unbelievable mentality, you have to beat them with their weapon as well, which is mentality. And I think we showed that today. We showed that we can beat them also with mentality.”
He admitted Liverpool could have put the result beyond doubt earlier. “But we should have made it easier for ourselves. At 2-0 in the first half, we had more than a few chances, at 2-1, we hit the post. We were so close a few times, but when the margin is only one goal, something can always happen and it happened.
But then again we showed the mentality, we were pushing, pushing, pushing and in the end we scored a set-piece goal.”
Isak’s debut earns praise
New signing Alexander Isak featured for the first time since joining from Newcastle in the summer. Slot said he was pleased with the striker’s sharpness.
“Yeah, particularly because in the 60 minutes he played he seemed to be quite fit to me. It wasn’t as if after 10 minutes he was already very tired. He could play at this level quite well after one or two weeks of team sessions. So that was the most positive thing and then he can play football and that he’s a joy to watch and that is not a surprise to me.”
The Dutch coach, however, urged fans to stay patient. “He was fitter than I expected, but the fans can’t get their hopes too high. We play three times a week and that’s a bit too much for him still. We have two great No. 9s and we’re going to use both of them throughout the whole period that they are here, but definitely now at this time.”
What’s next for Liverpool
Liverpool will turn their attention to Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield. With their perfect record intact, Slot will push for another statement win in front of home fans.
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