Liverpool let a two-goal lead slip after a stunning start against Atletico Madrid, but Virgil van Dijk became the latest stoppage-time hero as he earned a 3-2 win.Liverpool 3-2 Atletico MadridChampions League (1) | AnfieldSeptember 17, 2025GoalsRobertson 4′ (assist: Salah)Salah 6′ (assist: Gravenberch)Llorente 45+3′Llorente 81′Van Dijk 90+2′ (assist: Szoboszlai)Team newsArne Slot made three changes to his side from the 1-0 win over Burnley and the headline alteration came with Alexander Isak making his first start.Hugo Ekitike dropped out along with Alexis Mac Allister and Milos Kerkez, with Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson also introduced – the Dutchman facilitating Dominik Szoboszlai‘s move back into midfield.It was, for the first time in their history, the first time Liverpool had started a European game without at least one English player in their lineup.First halfWith all the expectation of a fast start, Liverpool delivered in unlikely fashion, with Mohamed Salah attempting a low free-kick which was diverted in off Robertson.The left-back claimed that goal, but Salah made sure he got his own two minutes later, playing a rapid one-two with Ryan Gravenberch and holding off a number of challenges to poke beyond Jan Oblak for 2-0.Atletico sat deep and allowed Liverpool to play their football, which suited the hosts with a two-goal lead as they pushed for more.Isak had his first opportunity with 39 minutes on the clock, picking the ball up from Florian Wirtz, turning and lifting an instinctive finish just wide of the post – and soon after he had a better effort saved by Jan Oblak.Atletico grabbed one back before the break through right-back Marcos Llorente, who poked in via a deflection off Ibrahima Konate, with the goal given despite an offside Antoine Griezmann blocking Alisson‘s view.Half-time: Liverpool 2-1 Atletico MadridNo changes at the break meant Isak stayed on beyond the 45-minute mark, appeasing those inside Anfield who were hoping to see more of the No. 9.There were more bright moments from the striker before Slot’s pre-planned changes around the hour mark, with Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Alexis Mac Allister replacing Isak, Frimpong and Cody Gakpo.Liverpool’s energy remained and a fantastic break – led by the outstanding Dominik Szoboszlai – led to a huge chance for Salah, but the Egyptian’s effort thudded off the post.Rio Ngumoha came on and became Liverpool’s youngest-ever player in Europe, breaking a record set by Trey Nyoni only eight months previous.Then Llorente made it 2-2 with a deflected volley from outside the box, with the Reds punished for their complacency in front of goal after such a blistering start.Never rule Slot’s Liverpool out though: again in stoppage time, they snatched the winner as Van Dijk powered in an unstoppable header to seal a 3-2 victory.TIA Man of the Match: Ryan GravenberchReferee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong (Bradley 58′), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson (Kerkez 86′); Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz (Ngumoha 73′), Gakpo (Mac Allister 58′); Isak (Ekitike 58′)Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Leoni, Gomez, Endo, DannsAtletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher (Molina 61′), Gonzalez (Pubill 77′); Raspadori (Koke 52′), Griezmann (Sorloth 61′)Subs not used: Musso, Esquival, Ruggeri, Martin, Hancko, Zanzi, BelidNext match: Everton (H) – Premier League – Saturday, September 20, 12.30pm (BST)