For the umpteenth time, Liverpool scored a late goal to grab a win in the 2025-2026 season and the latest late game hero this time turned out to be captain Virgil Van Dijk.
The towering Dutch defender rose highest to head in the winning goal in the 93rd minute to give Liverpool a 3-2 win over Spanish side Atletico Madrid at Anfield on a big night of UEFA Champions League football.
Liverpool took a 2-0 lead through Andrew Robertson and Mohammed Salah but a brace from Marcos Llorente got Atletico back in the tie before Van Dijk bagged the winner.
Liverpool have scored late goals in wins over AFC Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Arsenal and most recently through a 94th minute converted penalty kick by Mohammed Salah to beat Burnley.
Speaking after the win, Van Dijk was happy his team found another late win again.
Andrew Robertson of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk (Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“We try, we kept pushing for the 3-1. We concede the equaliser, 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.”
Alexander Isak of Liverpool FC in action during UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match (Photo by Dennis Agyeman / Europa Press via Getty Images)
“I’m glad I got the winner…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” Van Dijk said per the BBC.
Andrew Robertson of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Virgil van Dijk during UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match (Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Recently signed striker Alexander Isak made his Liverpool debut in the game after securing a record fee transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool. The explosive game had Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone sent off.
Marcos Llorente of Atletico Madrid scores their second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Referee Maurizio Mariani and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone argue during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
