LONDON, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Liverpool staged a dramatic 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid to begin their Champions League campaign at Anfield on Wednesday.
Alexander Isak made his highly anticipated debut, but it was seasoned stars who carried the night. Mohamed Salah played a pivotal role in Liverpool's blistering start, while Virgil van Dijk sealed victory with a stoppage-time header.
Salah struck twice in the opening six minutes - first with a free-kick that deflected in off Andrew Robertson, then finishing coolly after a move with Ryan Gravenberch.
Atletico pulled one back just before halftime through Marcos Llorente, who slipped a shot under Alisson. Isak, sharp early on, was withdrawn after 58 minutes as Liverpool pressed for a third. Salah hit the post before Llorente leveled with a deflected volley in the 81st minute, recalling his brace at Anfield in 2020.
But Liverpool found yet another late winner, Van Dijk rising to head home a corner in front of a jubilant Kop. Tempers flared after the final whistle, with Atletico coach Diego Simeone shown a red card following an altercation with supporters behind his bench. ■
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