Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid 3-2: UEFA Champions League – as it happened
All our updates, with post-match reaction, following our full text commentary stream of the football match at Anfield.
This page is now closed, but a summary of the match is available below, and you can click here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport.
This page is now closed, but a summary of the match is available below, and you can click here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport.
- English side Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid of Spain 3-2 in the league phase of football’s UEFA Champions League.
- The match was played at Anfield in Liverpool, the United Kingdom, where Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk scored an injury-time winner.
- Liverpool, who won the English Premier League last season, topped the league phase of last season’s Champions League.
- Atletico, who were third in Spain’s La Liga last season, are currently languishing in 11th in their domestic league, with only one win from four games.
- Record Champions League winners Real Madrid began their new season in Europe’s premier club competition with a 2-1 home win against Marseille on Tuesday.
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- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
Goodbye for now!
That brings to an end our live coverage of Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
Thanks for joining us and be sure to return tomorrow for more Champions League fun.
Until then, from me Adam Hancock and my colleague Kevin Hand, goodbye!
Our Liverpool-Atletico Madrid report is live
Click here to read our full match report following the Champions League match at Anfield.
An international XI
0 – Tonight is Liverpool's 418th match in major European competition but the first time they've ever named a starting XI without a single Englishman. Global. pic.twitter.com/Qf1k32lxO6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 17, 2025
Next up for Al Jazeera Sport
There are another six Champions League matches on Thursday evening as the first round of fixtures come to a close.
We will bring you live coverage of Newcastle United’s mouthwatering tie with Barcelona. That game kicks off at 8pm (19:00 GMT).
We’ll also keep you across the five other games including Manchester City v Napoli and Sporting v Kairat.
Elsewhere in Europe
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain got off to the perfect start in the Champions League this season with a 4-0 thumping of Atalanta.
Elsewhere, Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich beat Chelsea 3-1 and Inter Milan secured a comfortable win on the road at Ajax.
What a night! 🍿#UCL pic.twitter.com/5ZdPheQnlQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2025
‘If we feel urgency then we are unbelievable’
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reflected on another late win for the Reds. Here is what he told TNT Sports:
“If you want to beat a team like Atletico, you have to beat them with their weapon, which is mentality, and that is what we showed again today. But we should have made it easier for ourselves.”
On if complacency crept in at 2-0 up: “It can, but it didn’t happen too much for us, but it’s clear that if we feel urgency, then we are unbelievable. So we have to make sure we feel this urgency for 90 minutes, don’t even look at the score, just see this urgency for 90 minutes.”
On Isak’s debut: “In the 60 minutes, he seemed to be quite fit to me, so it wasn’t as if after 10 minutes he was already very tired. That was the most positive thing. He was maybe fitter than I expected.”
On if Isak will start against Everton on Saturday: “He could, but again, it won’t be another 90 minutes.”
On winning on his birthday: “It was the same like last year when we played Milan away. Next year, I am hoping that I can celebrate my birthday with my family and friends!”
A man who loves Anfield
3 – 50% of Marcos Llorente's UEFA Champions League goals have been scored in his two appearances at Anfield (3/6). Dogged. pic.twitter.com/PBu56JJXx7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 17, 2025
‘It should have been a more comfortable night’
Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson has also been giving his post-match reaction to TNT Sports.
“We need to maybe get back to winning a bit simpler and easier!
“It’s a great thing to be able to go to the end, but when you are 2-0 up, it should have been a more comfortable night.”
On his goal: “I’ve not got a clue! The set piece coach said I was crucial to set pieces today, so I took it literally. I was just trying to get in the line of the keeper so he couldn’t really see. I didn’t know much about it, but obviously it is a great start.”
On Isak’s performance: “I thought he was excellent. He’s not had a pre-season, but I thought he was excellent. Naturally, he got tired, and then it was amazing to have a player like Hugo [Ekitike] to come on.”
On how good this Liverpool team could be: “We’ve got quality all over the pitch, and if you look at the bench today, it’s a strong bench and all the subs we have made bring quality. We can change every position within a game. It’s up to us to show how good this team can be.”
On teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha: “He is brilliant. He is such a level-headed young lad as well; he always wants help, but he’s got a bit of fire about him as well. He is not scared to have a bit of fire in training, and that is what you want.”
Photos: How the manager saw it
‘We found a way again’
Liverpool’s captain and match-winner Virgil Van Dijk has given his reaction to the Reds’ win:
“We kept pushing for the 3-1 and obviously to concede an equaliser, which was deflected, was not great, but we found a way again.”
On whether Liverpool had belief that they would find another late winner: “It’s easier to say afterwards, but we have shown many times that we are capable of doing it, but today, I was the lucky one with the winner.”
On whether Liverpool have defensive concerns this season: “No.”
Another late, late show for Liverpool
It’s easy to lose count of Liverpool’s last minute winners this season.
After Salah at Burnley on Sunday, Van Dijk found another late goal against Atletico on Tuesday.
WE START WITH A WIN!! 💫 #UCL pic.twitter.com/0iYPJpj9l4
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 17, 2025
Full time
Liverpool have once again scored a winner at the death.
The Reds have won 3-2 thanks to a late van Dijk winner.
Full time: Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Huge chance for Liverpool
Ekitike tries to barge his way through the Atletico defence, but Oblak does well to claim the ball.
Moments later, the Frenchman has another huge opportunity as he blasts a Salah cross wide of the post.
90+7 mins: Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Van Dijk ignites Anfield
The Liverpool captain gets a powerful header on Szoboszlai’s corner and the ball nestles into the bottom corner of the net.
It unleashes huge celebrations at Anfield.
Diego Simeone is furious.
90+3 mins: Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid
GOAL! Van Dijk makes it 3-2!
Another late goal!
90+3 mins: Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Liverpool searching for a late winner
Llorente clears the header before the ball can reach van Dijk.
Moments later and Liverpool have yet another corner.
90+2 mins: Liverpool 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Four minutes added on
Into stoppage time at Anfield.
Liverpool are attacking in waves as they seek a late winner. The Reds get another corner.
90+1 mins: Liverpool 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Ekitike goes close
Liverpool win a succession of late corners.
The second one almost results in a goal as a deflected Ekitike header grazes the side netting.
90 mins: Liverpool 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Late change for Liverpool
Konate wins a header from the corner, but his effort flies wide of the post.
Arne Slot makes another late change as Milos Kerkez comes on for Robertson.
87 mins: Liverpool 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Corner at the Kop end
Bradley crosses into the box and Molina is forced to hook the ball behind for a corner.
Can Liverpool find another late one?
85 mins: Liverpool 2-2 Atletico Madrid