Diego Simeone makes ‘dangerous’ allegation following Liverpool and ‘amazing’ Anfield comment

Diego Simeone was sent off as his Atletico Madrid team suffered a late setback to Liverpool in the Champions League, with Virgil van Dijk scoring a late winner.

Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid’s manager, viewed his team as a “danger” to Liverpool after a late Champions League defeat.

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone. (Image: Michael Regan – UEFA via Getty Images)

Despite Marcos Llorente’s goals in both halves, Virgil van Dijk’s powerful header put Atletico back in lead. Llorente also scored a brace against Liverpool in 2020. Liverpool took a 2-0 lead with goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah in only six minutes.

Simeone was heartbroken that his squad did not win any points, but he was proud of how they performed on the day. Atletico Madrid still needs to play seven more games to qualify for the knockout phase.

Simeone told UEFA: “The truth is that it was a beautiful game, in a fantastic stadium, in front of an incredible crowd, against a great team.”

“We had our weapons and gave it our all to move the game in the direction we desired. I believe we were dangerous.

“They [Liverpool] are a brave team, as evidenced by their play last season, and they also performed well in the Champions League. We have our weapons, and we came here to play a fantastic game.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Diego Simeone, Manager / Head Coach of Atletico Madrid is restrained as he confronts fans after the late Liverpool winning goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

“We understand that these games are long. The bench assisted in recovering what happened in the early seconds, and then what happened happened.”

Simeone was issued a red card near the end of the game, and he was upset with the home fans for taunting him from the stands.

“They insult you all game long behind the bench, and you can’t respond because you’re the manager,” Simeone said.

“My reaction to the abuse was not justified, but it is difficult to bear being insulted for 90 minutes. Hopefully, Liverpool can improve, and when they discover the perpetrator, there will be consequences.

“Insults occur throughout the game. There are also gestures. I’m the one who needs to remain calm and put up with the gestures, insults, and any circumstance.”

Liverpool’s next Champions League group stage fixtures are against Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt. Atletico Madrid’s next home encounter will be against their city rival Real Madrid.

Simeone’s men face Frankfurt, Arsenal, and Union Saint-Gilloise, a Belgian club that features Alexis MacAllister’s brother Kevin at centre back. Last season, Real Madrid eliminated Atletico on penalties in the last-16.