Kenya, Sept. 18 -- The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League league phase exploded into life with a nail-biting opener at Anfield, where Liverpool edged Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a match that will be remembered for its drama. Simeone fan clash Van Dijk's winner became the defining moment, as captain Virgil van Dijk's towering 92nd-minute header sparked unreal scenes, leading to Atletico coach Diego Simeone's ejection after a heated exchange with supporters.
This wasn't just a game; it was a throwback to the intense European nights that define the competition, with both sides trading blows in a revamped format that's already delivering thrills.
The match kicked off at a blistering pace. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, drew first blood in the third minute when Mohamed Salah's curling free-kick deflected off Andy Robertson past a helpless Jan Oblak, credited as an own goal but all Salah's creation.
Barely three minutes later, Salah struck again, linking up with Ryan Gravenberch before coolly slotting home his second. Anfield was electric, especially on Slot's 47th birthday, as the Reds dominated possession and peppered Atletico's defence.
New signing Alexander Isak, the £125 million capture from Newcastle, made a promising debut start, showing sharp movement alongside Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz in midfield.
Atletico, managed by the fiery Diego Simeone, absorbed the early pressure with their trademark grit. Despite trailing 2-0, they grew into the contest, exploiting Liverpool's high line.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time: Marcos Llorente, who scored twice in Atletico's famous 2020 Anfield upset, latched onto a loose ball and rifled a volley past Alisson Becker from 20 yards.
The goal, aided by a deflection off Ibrahima Konate, breathed life into Simeone's side and silenced the Kop momentarily. Half-time arrived with Liverpool leading but Atletico sensing vulnerability.
The second half saw Atletico push forward, with substitutes like Giuliano Simeone and Antoine Griezmann adding urgency. Liverpool introduced Alexis Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike to regain control, but defensive lapses persisted. In the 81st minute, Llorente struck again, his deflected volley off Mac Allister looping over Alisson to level the score at 2-2.
Anfield's roar turned to tension as Atletico defended stoutly, with Oblak making crucial saves. Slot's men, known for late drama this season, refused to yield-four of their eight second-half goals in 2025-26 have come in the 90th minute or later, per Opta stats.
Enter the Simeone fan clash Van Dijk winner. In the second minute of added time, Dominik Szoboszlai swung in a pinpoint corner from the left. Van Dijk, unmarked at the far post, rose above Robin Le Normand and powered a header into the bottom corner, his first goal of the campaign.
The stadium erupted in jubilation, but chaos ensued on the touchline. Simeone, incensed by the concession, stormed toward the crowd behind the dugout, where he appeared to clash with a Liverpool fan amid taunts.
Stewards and Atletico staff intervened, but referee Maurizio Mariani brandished a red card to the coach in the 94th minute for his protests and involvement in the melee. Simeone trudged down the tunnel, gesturing wildly, as Anfield savoured the victory.
This wasn't Simeone's first Anfield send-off; his passion has defined his 14-year Atletico tenure, but tonight's outburst highlighted the match's intensity. Post-game, Slot praised his team's resilience: "We've got that never-give-up spirit; Virgil's header was massive."
Simeone, speaking from the stands, lamented the late goal but lauded Llorente's brace, calling it "a game of two halves". Liverpool's win extends their perfect start to the season, topping the early league phase table with three points.
Atletico, winless in Europe this term, sit mid-pack but showed fight despite injuries to key players like Julian Alvarez. Social media lit up with reactions to the Simeone fan clash Van Dijk winner. On X, #UCL trended globally, with over 1 million posts.
Fans shared clips of Van Dijk's leap and Simeone's fury, one viral tweet reading: "Anfield magic strikes again; Simeone vs the Kop is peak UCL!" Liverpool supporters hailed Isak's integration, while Atletico fans praised Llorente's heroics.
The match drew comparisons to 2020's epic, where Llorente's goals knocked Liverpool out, but this time, the Reds prevailed in another classic. In the broader Champions League context, this result shows the new format's excitement: 36 teams, eight matches each, with direct advancement for the top eight.
Liverpool's late show positions them well for clashes against teams like PSG and Bayern. For Atletico, it's a learning curve in a tough draw. As the phase continues until January, expect more such spectacles. Tonight's unreal scenes at Anfield remind us why the Champions League captivates: drama, skill, and unbridled passion.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.