Liverpool gain new psychological edge as only one question remains

Liverpool gain new psychological edge as only one question remains

Match verdict from Anfield after late 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid

On his 47th birthday, Arne Slot might have felt the tension of several years packed into one night, but deep down he likely never doubted Liverpool’s late show. Once again, his side left it until the final moments to clinch victory, keeping their remarkable streak of dramatic finishes alive.

For the fifth straight game, the Premier League champions struck the decisive blow in the closing stages—this time Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute header sealed a 3-2 triumph and further fuelled their Champions League push for a seventh European crown.

Remarkably, Dominik Szoboszlai’s 83rd-minute free-kick against Arsenal still stands as the earliest winning goal Liverpool have managed this season. The pattern is clear: Slot’s team are developing a knack for scoring when it matters most, a habit that unnerves opponents and emboldens supporters.

Marcos Llorente’s 81st-minute volley, his second of the night, looked set to deflate Anfield. Instead, it only raised the question: how late would Liverpool leave it this time? Those who guessed 92 minutes were rewarded as Van Dijk delivered yet again.

While Slot has admitted lingering frustration over last season’s penalty shootout exit to PSG, there is a sense of unfinished business driving this European campaign. Several players privately see the Champions League as the ultimate prize after conquering the league last year.

Debutant Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s £125m signing, drew most of the pre-match attention. Still lacking sharpness after a long layoff, he nonetheless showed glimpses of the qualities that persuaded the club to invest heavily, especially in his promising link-up with fellow big-money recruit Florian Wirtz. The two, costing a combined £240m, hinted at a partnership that could define Liverpool’s next era.

Wirtz in particular impressed, orchestrating play with vision and composure, and nearly assisting Mohamed Salah for what should have been a sublime goal. As he grows into his role, his influence is only likely to increase.

Liverpool had started quickly, with Robertson deflecting in Salah’s free-kick before the Egyptian doubled the lead seconds later. A rare early cushion suggested a departure from recent drama, but in the end, tradition prevailed—Liverpool once more turned the late moments into their stage.

Now, with every comeback, belief spreads further through the squad and terraces alike. What began as a habit is becoming a weapon, a psychological edge that forces rivals to wonder not if Liverpool will strike, but when