Diego Simeone SENT OFF after fracas with Liverpool fans following late Virgil van Dijk goal
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was involved in a furious flashpoint with Liverpool fans after Virgil van Dijk scored a late goal to win the game for the Reds at Anfield
by James Whaling · The MirrorAtletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was sent off after a fracas with Liverpool fans following Virgil van Dijk's last-gasp winner at Anfield. The Dutchman headed home in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 victory for the Reds.
Simeone was seen in a furious argument with supporters in the aftermath of the goal and was restrained by stewards. The referee then sent him off and he headed down the tunnel.
Atletico had staged an impressive turnaround to cancel out Liverpool's two-goal lead and restore parity. Marcos Llorente struck just before half-time and doubled his tally with nine minutes remaining.
But Van Dijk's header from a corner meant Liverpool made a winning start to their Champions League campaign.
Earlier, a fortuitous Andy Robertson strike and a vintage Mohamed Salah goal put Liverpool in full control of the game after only six minutes.
But after fireworks on the pitch, there were more in the dugout after Van Dijk's winner. It is unclear what started the fracas, but Simeone was furious and shouted into the crowd while remonstrating with fans.
As he was pulled away from the incident, the referee gave him his marching orders. Simeone shook hands with the official before heading down the tunnel.
After the game, Simeone claimed he was being abused from the crowd and that was what triggered his reaction. “They always talk about taking care of each other, but they insult you throughout the entire match and you can't say anything because you're the manager," he said.
“My reaction was unjustifiable, but do you know what it's like to be insulted for 90 minutes, to turn around after the opponent scores and still be insulted? It's not that easy.
“The referee told me he understood me. I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences.
“There were insults throughout the match, including gestures. It's clear that I'm the one who has to stay calm, I have to put up with the insults, the gestures and any situation. Because I'm in a position where I have to put up with it.
“I’m not really going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don’t want to get involved in that. I have got to stay in my place, I know what went on behind the manger’s bench. I can’t solve society’s problem in one press conference. I have to live with it as it exists all over the place all of the time."
The Argentine has earned a reputation for his exuberant antics on the touchline over the course of his 14-year stint in the Spanish capital.
As a player, Simeone famously got David Beckham sent off at France 98 playing for Argentina against England in the last 16.
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