Liverpool 3, Atletico Madrid 2 – Match Recap: They Keep Getting Away With It

Reds: Rorbertson 4’, Salah 6’, Van Dijk 90+4’
Atleti: Llorente 45+3’ 81’

The big news tonight is that Alexander Isak STARTS agaisnt Atleti. First European night at Anfield. Hell of a time to make a debut! Elsewhere, Frimpong and Robertson come in at right and left backs, respectively. Slot goes with a Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz midfiend, with Gakpo and Salah running down the wings. Into these!

It’s a dream start for The Reds! Gravenberch wins a free kick right on the edge of the area. Salah lines up a free kick, hits it low around the wall, and Andy Robertson of all people gets a (probably unintentional) touch, deflecting it in for a goal!

And a moment later, Salah plays a 1-2 with Gravenberch, holds off about 4 defenders and slots! Liverpool are 2-0 up within 6 minutes! Isak was begging for it at the back post, but he needs to get used to Mo not passing in situations like that.

Things have settled down since the dream start. Although Liverpool haven’t given the visitors much of a look in, they haven’t created much more going forward. Still, they look comfortably in control against Atleti so far.

Just as I write that, Wirtz and Isak absolutely cut Atleti to shreds and created a great chance for Frimpong, who unfortunately completely whiffed on the shot. Anyway. This is fun. We’re having fun.

And just like that Liverpool give up a soft one just before the half. Probably should’ve been flagged for offside because of keeper interferance, but alas.

After a pretty uneventful 15 minutes Slot makes his first changes, bringing on Bradley, Ekitike, and Mac Allister for Frimpong, Isak, and Gakpo. Wirtz moves to the left, making the shape much closer to a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1.

The Reds have nearly had a few excellent counterattacks, including the chance just gone, where the team did everything right, only for Mo Salah to blast it off the post. Either way, Liverpool continue looking like the most likely to score.

With about 15 to go, Wirtz—who has been phenomenal tonight—comes off for wunderkind Rio Ngumoha.

Liverpool have once again given away a two-goal lead, this time getting super unlucky with a couple of deflections. There are ten minutes to salvage this, but it would be nice to not have to keep going back to the well!

Slot makes one more change, bringing on Milos Kerkez for Robertson.

THEY CAN’T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IT AND YET THEY KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IT. VIRGIL WAS NOT STANDING FOR IT AND SCORES A LAST MINUTE HEADER OFF A CORNER FOR THE WIN!!!

And Diego Simeone completely lost his shit and got his ass sent off. As a bonus.

Liverpool once again gave away a two goal lead, and once again won the match with a late goal. Welcome to Liverpool, Alexander Isak. We’re batshit and dramatic and we will never, ever change. Up these dramatic AF Reds.

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