UK media reacts to Liverpool 'madness' after Atletico Madrid win - 'Welcome to next stage'

It wouldn't be a European night at Anfield without some drama - or just a Liverpool game this season for that matter.

For the fifth time in a row this season, Arne Slot's side needed a late, late winner to overcome Atletico Madrid in its opening Champions League game of the campaign. The Reds had looked to be heading for a frustrating draw after Marcos Llorente once again struck a double on Merseyside after Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah's early goals.

If we've learned one thing about Liverpool this season though, it's to not write them off - even after the 90 minutes are up. Virgil van Dijk was the hero on this occasion, heading home Dominik Szoboszlai's corner in stoppage time to continue what has been a perfect start in the league, and now in Europe.

As ever on a European night, the UK's media were out in full force at Anfield to give their verdict on yet another dramatic victory for the Reds. Here's what they had to say on Liverpool's win over Atletico Madrid...

Will Unwin - The Guardian

Unwin wrote: "It should have been a lot easier than this for Liverpool, but the 92nd‑minute roar to celebrate Virgil van Dijk’s winner against Atletico Madrid made the hardship worthwhile.

"This is what everyone expects of Liverpool this season; the captain’s header was only their third latest decisive goal in five straight victories."

Unwin added: "There was greater concern on the faces of supporters than at Burnley on Sunday, but they know their team are masters in the art of going until the end. Van Dijk rose highest and powered the ball past Jan Oblak to test the foundations of the Kop and put their Champions League start on a par with their domestic form."

Chris Bascombe - The Telegraph

Bascombe wrote: "Welcome to the next stage of football’s evolution, courtesy of Liverpool Football Club. Why bother winning a match once, when repeatedly doing so twice on the same night is so much more dramatic, entertaining, and explosive?

"Liverpool’s late, late show, a mini-series which is currently captivating the Premier League, has now been given the European treatment.

"The recurring theme is that Arne Slot’s side are never more vulnerable than when two goals ahead. Admittedly, it would be a risky strategy for future opponents to test if such a flaw is habitual. Do not expect David Moyes to head to Anfield on Saturday morning, ordering his Everton side to go a couple of goals down as a means of wrestling control.

"But the evidence is compelling in the opening weeks of this season that Liverpool need to iron out a most peculiar weakness; the ultimate first-world footballing problem about keeping the foot on the pedal when so far ahead."

Dominic King - Daily Mail

King wrote: "If once is an accident and twice is a coincidence, what do we say about something that happens for a fifth time? Much more of this, and Arne Slot will become more synonymous with the 'Late Show' than David Letterman.

"Wild nights wouldn’t necessarily be synonymous with turning 47, but Slot won’t forget this madness in a hurry – how could he when he saw an injury-time winner from his captain, his opposite number get ejected from the party early, and his presents, worth a quarter of a billion pounds, start to sparkle?"

King added: "It was ridiculous they needed to rescue themselves here, having seemingly been in control, but it wasn’t down to luck.

"Of course, van Dijk’s header made the night go pop – well, one man to be specific. Diego Simeone is walking, talking theatre on nights like these. He ran the gamut of emotions from despair to delirium before he was banished after becoming involved in a skirmish with celebrating supporters.

"What madness this was but, then again, Liverpool versus Atletico Madrid had the potential to be a blockbuster, a night when the stadium crackled with nervous energy, and so it proved. It became an occasion that seemed to have a place in next May’s final in Budapest riding on it."

Paul Joyce - The Times

Joyce wrote: "When Liverpool were at the peak of their powers under Jurgen Klopp, he christened his team the mentality monsters. Such a title does not do justice to the Class of 2025.

"For the fifth game in succession this season, there would be a final flourish that left Arne Slot punching the air in part in sheer disbelief at the manner in which his squad can continually dip into reserves of strength.

"Liverpool’s unerring ability to score late goals has been cast as some sort of weakness, but when Virgil van Dijk rose highest in the 92nd minute to thump home Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner, no one was complaining.

"Of course, that such a moment was required yet again needs addressing with Atletico Madrid recovering from trailing 2-0 after six minutes, but the ability to go to the well again and again is a special quality."