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The Liverpool fan at the center of Diego Simeone’s remarkable outburst at the end of Wednesday's dramatic Champions League game has identified himself - and poked more fun at the Atletico Madrid boss.
Simeone saw red after Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time winner at Anfield secured Liverpool a 3-2 win in the opening league phase game, after Marcos Llorente had looked to have secured a point for the visitors with yet another double on Merseyside.
The late goal sparked an angry reaction from the Atletico boss, who was seen clashing with supporters behind the bench as he had to be restrained by stewards and his own backroom staff.
Simeone appeared to gesture a middle finger, seemingly indicating what fans had been showing to him after Van Dijk’s winner, but the Argentine was subsequently sent off by the referee.
Footage from UK broadcaster TNT Sports showed the aftermath of the incident, with Simeone being held back by stewards as Liverpool fans taunted him, with one in particular catching plenty of attention as he could be seen laughing in front of the Atletico boss.
The fan in question now looks ot have identified himself. Jonny Poulter, who describes himself as a business owner and racehorse owner, shared a video Simeone’s outburst on X, along with the message: “Do I get the assist?”
Explaining his outburst after the game, Simeone told reporters: "They insult you all game long behind the bench, and you can't respond because you're the manager.
"My reaction to the insult isn't justifiable, but it's not easy to endure being insulted for 90 minutes. Hopefully, Liverpool can improve, and when they find the person who did it, there will be consequences.”
He added during his press conference: "There were insults throughout the match, including gestures. It's clear that I'm the one who has to stay calm, I have to put up with the insults, the gestures, and any situation. Because I'm in a position where I have to put up with it.
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"I'm not really going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don't want to get involved in that. I have got to stay in my place, I know what went on behind the manager's bench.
"I can't solve society's problem in one press conference. I have to live with it as it exists all over the place all of the time."
Simeone now faces the prospect of a touchline ban following his red card.
As per UEFA rules, the Atletico boss could serve a one-game suspension, although the ban could be extended if deemed to be a "serious offence."
English (US) ·