Llorente’s Late Double Drives Atletico Comeback in Champions League Thriller Against Liverpool

Liverpool Edge Atletico Madrid in Champions League Thriller
By Harry Bamforth, Lewis Steele, and Dominic King | Updated: 21:49 BST, 17 September 2025

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Final Score: Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid

Match Summary:
Liverpool survived a late scare to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in their Champions League group stage opener. The Reds raced to a 2-0 first-half lead but were pegged back twice by substitute Marcos Llorente. A controversial disallowed goal for Cody Gakpo deep into stoppage time denied the hosts breathing room, but they held firm to claim the win.

Key Moments

1-0: Luis Diaz (12’)
Liverpool’s electric start paid off when Luis Diaz tapped in Mohamed Salah’s low cross. The Colombian winger celebrated wildly in front of the Kop after a slick team move.

[![Diaz celebrates his opener](Image placeholder: Diaz goal celebration)]

2-0: Cody Gakpo (33’)
Gakpo doubled the lead with a clinical header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint delivery. The Dutchman’s clever run left the Atletico defense scrambling.

Halftime – Liverpool 2-0 Atletico
The hosts dominated possession, but Atletico threatened on the counter, with Alisson denying Antoine Griezmann. Virgil van Dijk’s injury scare (clutching his knee) briefly rattled Anfield, but he played on.

Atletico Fight Back

2-1: Marcos Llorente (58’)
The substitute struck instantly after coming on, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to slot past Alisson.

2-2: Marcos Llorente (72’)
Llorente stunned Anfield again, firing into the roof of the net after Liverpool failed to clear a corner.

3-2: Dominik Szoboszlai (89’)
The midfielder’s deflected strike from 20 yards restored Liverpool’s lead, setting up a nervy finale.

[![Szoboszlai’s winner sparks celebrations](Image placeholder: Szoboszlai goal)]

Controversy:
Gakpo thought he’d sealed the win in stoppage time, but his goal was ruled out for a marginal offside. Atletico’s appeals for a penalty (Konate handball) were also waved away.

Post-Match Reactions

Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool manager):
“A proper European night! We started brilliantly but lost control. The character to find the winner was outstanding. Virgil? We’ll assess him tomorrow.”

Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid coach):
“Proud of our reaction. Llorente changed the game. The disallowed goal? I never complain about decisions.”

Player Ratings

Liverpool: Alisson (7), Alexander-Arnold (8), Van Dijk (7), Konate (6), Robertson (7); Szoboszlai (8), Mac Allister (7), Jones (6); Salah (8), Diaz (8), Gakpo (8).
Atletico Madrid: Oblak (6); Molina (6), Gimenez (5), Hermoso (5), Lino (6); Koke (6), De Paul (5), Saul (5); Correa (6), Griezmann (7); Morata (5).

What’s Next?
Liverpool face Everton in the Premier League on Sunday, while Atletico host Barcelona in La Liga.

Live Blog Highlights Condensed

Pre-match: Anfield’s flags waved high as Klopp stuck with his attacking trio of Salah, Diaz, and Gakpo.
22’: Van Dijk stayed down after a collision but continued after treatment.
45+2’: Alisson’s stunning save denied Griezmann’s curler.
64’: Salah’s volley hit the post, nearly restoring the two-goal cushion.
90+4’: Gakpo’s disallowed goal left fans furious before the final whistle.

[![Fans celebrate Liverpool’s win](Image placeholder: Anfield crowd)]

Liverpool top Group B ahead of Porto’s later fixture. A night of drama at Anfield – typical Champions League magic!