Liverpool 3-2 Atlético Madrid Player Ratings: Virgil van Dijk 9/10 Rated as the Reds Emerged Victorious in a 5 Goals Thriller

The iconic Anfield Stadium was buzzing as Liverpool faced off against Atletico Madrid in a gripping Champions League encounter. The Reds showed their attacking flair from the opening whistle. Within the five-minute mark, they already scored an opening strike through Robertson, but the credit goes to Salah. Although the Red-White are known for their defensive tenacity but that intensity was missing through the first half. On the other side of the field, the Reds' defensive setup looked stable and comfortable dealing with the Spanish club's attack. The visitors had more possession compared to the home side, yet their xG was measly 0.06, which tells you the whole story.

Chances kept on coming for the reigning English champions Liverpool, as Rojiblancos were fumbling in their own half. The second half was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Liverpool pushed for a third, with Salah hitting the woodwork, but then came the sucker punch. Llorente unleashed a thunderbolt to level the scores, and the away end went wild. Just when it looked like a draw was on the cards in this incredible match, the Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk soared above everyone to head home a dramatic injury-time winner. Stay tuned for the full Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid player ratings to see who truly made the difference in this intense battle.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid

Here are the Liverpool player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Alisson - 6.5: Couldn't do much for either of Marcos Llorente's excellent goals. He was left completely exposed for the first, and the second was an unstoppable strike. Made a crucial save late on to keep his team in it, which proved vital.

Defenders

Virgil van Dijk - 9.0: A true captain's performance and our man of the match. He was a colossus at the back, winning nearly every duel. His distribution started several attacks. And then, the defining moment. The Dutchman rose to power home the winning header, sending Anfield into delirium. What a player.

Ibrahima Konaté - 6.5: A mixed bag from the Frenchman. He made some important clearances and was physically dominant at times. However, he also seemed a bit unsettled by Atletico's press in the second half. He missed a golden opportunity with a header late on, which he'll be disappointed with.

Andrew Robertson - 7.0: The stats say he scored, but commentary proves otherwise. He was his usual energetic self, flying up and down the left flank. He defended diligently and provided a constant outlet in attack. His engine is just incredible.

Jeremie Frimpong - 5.5: It was a tough night for the full-back. He looked a bit shaky defensively and struggled to contain Atletico's wide players. He was hooked before the hour mark, which tells its own story.

Midfielders

Florian Wirtz - 7.0: A very lively presence, especially in the first half. He created several good chances and his link-up play was a joy to watch. He seemed to run out of steam as the game went on, which is understandable given his work rate.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 8.0: What stood out to us was his sheer work rate. The Hungarian was everywhere, covering every blade of grass. His delivery from set-pieces was a constant threat, culminating in the assist for the winning goal. An all-action, dynamic midfield display that was crucial to the win.

Ryan Gravenberch - 7.5: We were really impressed with this guy. He looked so composed on the ball and grabbed a clever assist for Salah's goal. He drew fouls in dangerous areas and helped control the tempo in the first half.

Forwards

Mohamed Salah - 8.5: The highest-rated player on the pitch for a reason. He was a constant thorn in Atletico's side. Scored a goal, had a hand in the opener, and was desperately unlucky not to score more, hitting the woodwork twice. He missed a couple of big chances, but his movement and threat were relentless.

Alexander Isak - 6.5: He looked sharp and his movement caused problems for the Atleti backline. He had a couple of decent efforts well saved by Jan Oblak. He was working hard but the final product just wasn't there for him before he was substituted.

C. Gakpo - 5.0: A night to forget for the Dutchman. He really struggled to get into the game and was on the periphery for most of his time on the pitch. He lost possession too easily and didn't offer much of a threat. It was no surprise to see him taken off early in the second half.

Manager

Arne Slot - 7.0: His team started like a freight train, which was clearly the game plan. However, he'll be concerned with how they allowed Atlético Madrid back into the match. His substitutions were logical and ultimately his side found a way to win. The late goal papers over some cracks, but it's a huge three points.

Atletico Madrid Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Here are the Atletico Madrid player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Jan Oblak - 6.5: It feels harsh to criticize a keeper who conceded three, but he also kept his team in the game. He made some excellent saves, particularly from Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah in the first half. He couldn't do anything about the goals.

Defenders

Marcos Llorente - 9.0: Simply sensational. He single-handedly dragged his team back into the game. Scored two fantastic goals, the second of which was an absolute rocket. He was a powerhouse, a constant threat, and unlucky to be on the losing team.

Clément Lenglet - 5.0: He had a torrid time against Mohamed Salah. He was caught out of position, committed needless fouls, and picked up a deserved yellow card. What stood out to us was his lack of composure under pressure.

Javi Galán - 6.5: One of the better performers in a shaky Atleti defence. He was strong in the tackle, winning almost all of his duels. He tried to get forward when he could. A committed and solid display in the face of immense pressure from Liverpool's attack.

Robin Le Normand - 5.0: He really struggled with the movement of Liverpool's forwards. He lost most of his aerial battles and was booked for a clumsy foul. Just looked off the pace all night and was part of a central defensive pairing that was breached too easily, especially for the late winner.

Midfielders

Conor Gallagher - 6.0: He worked tirelessly as you'd expect. He put in a real shift, making tackles and interceptions. However, he was also dribbled past a few too many times and his influence on the ball was limited. A typical battling display, but not enough to turn the tide.

Pablo Barrios - 5.5: You have to feel for him. The own goal so early on was desperately unlucky and put his team on the back foot. To his credit, he didn't hide. He kept working and tried to make amends, but it was a costly error that set the tone.

Giuliano Simeone - 6.5: A very tenacious performance. He fought for everything and showed some nice creative touches, creating four chances for his teammates. He did give away a few too many fouls, showing his eagerness.

Nico González - 5.5: He was largely anonymous in the midfield battle. He struggled to impose himself on the game, lost possession frequently, and was second-best in his duels. A passenger for large parts of the game before being substituted.

Forwards

Antoine Griezmann - 5.5: A surprisingly quiet night for the star man. From our perspective, he was unable to find those pockets of space where he is so dangerous. He was well-marshalled by Liverpool's defence and couldn't create anything of note before being substituted. Disappointing.

Giacomo Raspadori - 7.0: Looked very sharp during his time on the pitch. He provided a clever assist for Marcos Llorente's first goal and was a willing runner. It was a bit of a surprise to see him taken off so early.

Manager

Diogo Simeone - 7.0: His team showed immense character and fight to come back from 2-0 down at Anfield. That deserves huge credit. The initial setup was all wrong as they were blown away, but the mentality he has instilled in his players is second to none. Ultimately, they fell just short, undone by a late set-piece.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Virgil van Dijk