Liverpool player ratings as Wirtz and one other excellent in Atletico Madrid win

Liverpool player ratings as Florian Wirtz and one other excellent in Atletico Madrid win

Ian Doyle with the Liverpool player ratings and scores after the Champions League clash at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening

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Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic injury-time winner as Liverpool continued their penchant for late drama with a dramatic 3-2 victory at home to Atletico Madrid in their Champions League opener on Wednesday evening. The Reds enjoyed a great start with two goals inside six minutes as Andy Robertson directed in a Mohamed Salah free-kick before the Egyptian struck a fine effort.

But after Marcos Llorente - who scored twice here in 2020 for the Spaniards - contentiously prodded Atletico back into the game in first-half injury time, his deflected effort nine minutes from time appeared to have earned a point for the visitors before Van Dijk headed home in the second minute of additional time, after which Atletico boss Diego Simeone was sent off.

The ECHO was in attendance at Anfield and here we run the rule over Liverpool's players.

Alisson Becker 7

Did well to claim a succession of corners first half as visitors turned up the pressure. No chance with either Atletico goal.

Jeremie Frimpong 7

A couple of good blocks defensively but completely missed his kick when invited to score by Wirtz. Subbed.

Ibrahima Konate 7

Enjoyed his battle with Raspadori and dominant in the air while encouragingly on point with distribution. Another better showing, but should have done better with late header.

Virgil van Dijk 7

Defended very much on the front foot during the early stages and helped Liverpool deal with set-pieces before thundering in one himself in injury time for the winner.

Andy Robertson 7

In the right place to deflect home Salah’s early free-kick but increasingly required defensively, and less of a threat going forward second half. Subbed.

Ryan Gravenberch 8

Won the free-kick for the opener and linked superbly to release Salah for the second during a sumptuous display before break and maintained level throughout.

Dominik Szoboszlai 7

Helped the tone early on by harassing the Atletico midfield into mistakes and drove forward regularly. Mopped up a lot after the break and delivered inviting corner for the winner.

Mohamed Salah 7

Fortunate with the assist for the opener but nothing lucky about a brilliantly-worked second and close with two other first-half efforts. More subdued second half but still hit inside of post and created chance for Ekitike.

Florian Wirtz 8

Released Salah with excellent ball first half and more signs of improvement. Understanding with Isak immediate and shifted to left wing after an hour. Involved in much of Liverpool’s good play. Subbed.

Cody Gakpo 6

Regular outlet during the opening quarter and did well to hold the ball up but began to become less effective the longer the game progressed. Subbed.

Alexander Isak 7

Making his debut, evidently nowhere near match fit but began to show real signs of quality before the interval with link with Wirtz in particular. Subbed.

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WELCOME to the second edition of Blood Red – your new monthly publication from the ECHO covering everything you need to know about what’s happening at Liverpool FC.

This month, our focus is on Europe as Liverpool's Champions League campaign kicks off with the Reds looking to bring home European Cup number 7. As well as a pull-out fixtures guide to the group phase, we profile every other club in the competition.

Our writers cover Arne Slot’s side all season long, home, away and abroad, seven days a week, and this special second edition of Blood Red is full of their in-depth features, analysis and comment.

There's also an interview with Voice of Anfield George Sephton who looks back at his time at the club, we review the big tactical talking points of the season's opening games, and we preview the next month of action as the Champions combine their bid to defend their Premier League crown with the start of their mission for Champions League glory.

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SUBS

Conor Bradley (for Frimpong 58) 6

Tough going having clearly been targeted by Atletico but kept at it. Booked.

Hugo Ekitike (for Isak 58) 6

Took a little while to get up to the pace with the game and missed great chance late on.

Alexis Mac Allister (for Gakpo 58) 6

Somewhat quiet when slotting into midfield and unwittingly deflected in Atletico equaliser.

Rio Ngumoha (for Wirtz 74) 6

Champions League debut for the 17-year-old.

Milos Kerkez (for Robertson 86)

On the pitch for all the late drama.

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