Image Credits: Imago Images
Diego Simeone was sent off after clashing with a supporter in a dramatic finish to Atletico Madrid’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
Atletico had battled back from two goals down to level at Anfield, only for Virgil van Dijk to restore the Reds’ lead with a 92nd-minute header.
In the aftermath, Simeone reacted angrily to a fan behind the dugout who appeared to mock him, with stewards forced to intervene and escort the Argentine away before he was shown a red card.
Alexander Isak made his long-awaited Liverpool debut, but it was Van Dijk who sealed the night with a stoppage-time header as the Reds edged Atletico Madrid 3-2 at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah inspired a lightning start, with his deflected free-kick giving Liverpool the lead after four minutes before he coolly finished a move with Ryan Gravenberch to make it 2-0 inside six minutes.
Atletico hit back in first-half stoppage time through Marcos Llorente, who then struck again with a deflected volley late on after Salah had hit the post and Isak was withdrawn on 58 minutes.
Just as it seemed Liverpool would be denied, Van Dijk powered in a dramatic winner from a corner.
Speaking to UEFA after the game, Diego Simeone said: “The truth is that it was a beautiful game, in a fantastic stadium in front of an incredible crowd, against a team full of great players.
“We had our weapons and we gave our all to take the game in the direction that we wanted and I think we were dangerous.”
“They [Liverpool] are a brave team, they showed that last season in their play, they competed well in the Champions League as well.
“We have our weapons and we arrived here with the aim to make a good game.
“We know that these games are long. The bench helped to recover what happened in the first moments and then what happened, happened.”
Speaking to Movistar about his sending off against Liverpool, Simeone added: “There is a lot of talk about taking care, but they (fans) were shouting insults through the whole game from behind the bench.
“And I cannot say anything as I am a coach.
“Obviously, my reaction is not justifiable, I insulted him. But it was 90 minutes of being insulted the whole time.
“Then you turn around, when your opponent has scored, and they are still insulting you. It is not that easy.”
“The referee understood the situation. I hope that a team like Liverpool can improve that part.
“When they identify the person who did this, it should have its consequences. But he who needs to stay calm and take the insults is me. In my place, you just have to take it.”
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