Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was shown a red card in stoppage time after clashing with a supporter during his side’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
The Spanish side looked set to earn a point after Marcos Llorente scored twice to cancel out Liverpool’s early 2-0 lead. However, Virgil van Dijk struck with a 92nd-minute header to seal another dramatic late win for Arne Slot’s team.
Liverpool had raced ahead within six minutes. Andy Robertson accidentally deflected Mohamed Salah’s free-kick into the net for the opener, before Salah himself doubled the lead moments later with a neat finish past Jan Oblak.
Atletico fought back strongly, with Llorente scoring either side of half-time to level the contest. But just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Van Dijk rose highest to guide in the winner.
As Anfield erupted in celebration, one fan’s behaviour near the away dugout appeared to anger Simeone. Cameras showed the Argentine confronting a supporter before being held back by stewards and his coaching staff. He later complained to the fourth official but was dismissed once the situation calmed down.
It remains unclear exactly what sparked the incident, but Simeone’s sending-off overshadowed what had been a thrilling Champions League opener.
