Goal Highlight! Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid: Alexander Isak demonstrates Anfield strength in Champions League victory

Arne Slot has no hair left to lose, but the man celebrating his 47th birthday may have felt a few years older as his Liverpool squad put him through the wringer again.

In the end, Liverpool were able to give their head coach many happy returns, but not without another dose of late drama that has typified their winning start to the season.

Liverpool has given new meaning to the old adage that 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in football, having lost it twice in the Premier League this season – to Bournemouth and Newcastle United – and again in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool, on the other hand, has always recovered from adversity to win.

The sheer force of will in Slot’s side, as well as the power of Anfield on Champions League nights, made Virgil van Dijk’s stunning header deep into stoppage time seem inevitable, allowing Liverpool to begin their Champions League campaign with a win.

The Dutchman’s 93rd-minute victory was Liverpool’s fourth goal of the season in all competitions, with six of their eight second-half goals coming after the 88th minute.

Slot was able to celebrate wildly in his technical area once more, as he has done throughout the season as Liverpool has won all of their games in the final 10 minutes and into stoppage time, but even in victory, he must wish that Liverpool would not leave him and their fans knee-deep in chewed fingernails before they can celebrate.

Even Liverpool, despite their attacking skill, will be unable to pull off this trick on a consistent basis. Slot will be concerned about their carelessness, even though they have demonstrated five times this season that they have the ability to get themselves out of danger.

“A game like this should not have gone to a late winner,” Slot told reporters.

“I understand that’s the story of this game and the other five, but it’s a different game from the ones we’ve played before. We had so many wonderful attacks tonight, and we could have scored the third goal.”

All eyes are on Isak, but Salah returns to his best.

Liverpool’s new £125m striker Alexander Isak showed some nice touches on his debut but will grow in influence

All eyes were on £125 million British record signing Alexander Isak, who made his Liverpool debut after joining from Newcastle United.

He made some nice touches but eventually fatigued before being replaced after 58 minutes. Isak’s last competitive club game for Newcastle was on May 25, so Liverpool is understandably cautious – and the striker appeared rusty.

If Isak is Liverpool’s new superstar, one of the old guard proved he is not ready to step aside just yet, as Mohamed Salah overcame some early season rust to return to his spectacular best.

He was a persistent threat, hitting the post after Marcos Llorente drew one back for Atletico.

Llorente has a special fondness for Anfield, where he also scored twice in Atletico’s 3-2 Champions League last-16 victory in March 2020.

Following the triumph, Llorente called the dog he gifted to his mother ‘Anfield’ and demonstrated why this is his favourite venue with an equaliser nine minutes from time.

Liverpool, as has been the case all season, were unstoppable.

This time, Van Dijk stole the victory for Liverpool, allowing Slot to celebrate his birthday with a win rather than a painful draw.

Isak eases into Liverpool life.

Isak, naturally, was not at his best, but he demonstrated enough in 58 minutes to give a golden indication of the riches his future may hold.

Liverpool were actually 2-0 up before Isak made his first touch in a red shirt after 10 minutes, and there were nervous groans around Anfield when he was left banging his hand on the turf in agony after Atletico defender Robin Le Normand’s late challenge made painful contact with the top of his foot.

Isak progressively pushed his way into the game, but by the end of the first half, he appeared leggy. He returned for the second half, but it was no surprise when he was withdrawn to a warm standing ovation before the hour mark.

Slot stated, “In the 60 minutes he played, he appeared to be quite fit to me.” It wasn’t like he was exhausted after only 10 minutes. He could play at this level after just one or two weeks of team practice.

“He can play football, and he’s entertaining to watch. That is not surprising to me. He was fitter than I thought, but supporters shouldn’t set their expectations too high. We play three times per week, which is still too much for him.

“We have two great number nines [Isak and Hugo Ekitike] and we’re going to use both of them throughout their career here.”

Isak had two shots, both of which were saved by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but the most important takeaway was his link with another Liverpool newcomer, £116 million playmaker Florian Wirtz.

The pair combined brilliantly in the first half to create a chance for Jeremie Frimpong, which he failed to convert, before Isak’s intuitive flick – with his back to goal and without looking – was put straight into the German’s path, eliciting roars of appreciation from Liverpool fans.

Isak and Wirtz combined nine times in the game, indicating that they will be an effective weapon in Liverpool’s arsenal.

It was a subdued introduction for Isak, but enough to demonstrate what he will contribute.