2 hours ago
29
Leon Osman has explained how he thinks Virgil van Dijk managed to get his winner for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid, with an exchange with the referee potentially having played a part.
The Red had looked to be heading for a draw in their opening Champions League game of the season after Marcos Llorente once again grabbed a double at Anfield to bring the visitors level after Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah had given the hosts the lead early on.
Liverpool once again managed to find a late, late winner this season though, with Van Dijk heading home from Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner in stoppage time to continue what has been a perfect start to the season for the Reds.
The goal sparked a remarkable outburst from Diego Simeone on the sideline, with the Atletico boss sent off after clashing with supporters behind the visitors’ bench.
Van Dijk’s header came after a succession of corners as Liverpool searched for its winner, with the Reds captain seen remonstrating with referee Maurizio Mariani, seemingly unhappy with the attention he was getting from Robin Le Normand.
The Dutchman would eventually get the better of his opponent to secure all three points for his side, with former Everton midfielder Osman suggesting the Liverpool captain may have been helped by his conversations with the referee.
“Virgil van Dijk was on to the referee at previous corners about being fouled to basically get his space, to make sure he wasn't marked too tightly,” Osman told the BBC’s Match of the Day.
“I think speaking to the referee at previous corners actually helped him get a little bit more space.
“As the corner comes in, he gets away from Le Normand, who isn’t looking at the ball. He wasn’t looking at the other corners but on all of those, he is so tight to Van Dijk.
“Van Dijk couldn’t get away from him but he spoke to the referee and Le Normand got a warning. It worked, and it got him the room he needed because he knows the defender can’t touch him.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
“Then he bullies his man for his goal. It is a brilliant piece of finishing.”
Reacting to another dramatic win for his side this season, Van Dijk said: "We try, we kept pushing for the 3-1. We concede the equalizer, massively deflected. It was not great. We found a way again. We were dangerous in our set-pieces anyway, they were pretty aggressive I must say. I'm glad I got the winner.
"They're a team that never gives up, they have quality players that can punish you if you're not there in a split second, if you're a little bit too late and they punished us before the break and after the break we try to go for the 3-1.
"They get a bit of confidence from that as well. But we have to keep going and show the resilience we've been showing for many years and it was another great European night here again."
English (US) ·