Liverpool’s Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid had all the drama fans could ask for — early goals, a comeback, and a stoppage-time winner. And right at the center of it all was Virgil van Dijk, whose commanding performance left Jamie Carragher full of admiration.
The Reds stormed into a quick lead on Wednesday night (17 September), with Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah striking inside the first six minutes. But Atletico refused to roll over, as Marcos Llorente hit back with two goals to level the score. With the game heading for a frustrating draw, Van Dijk rose highest in the 92nd minute to nod home the decisive winner, sealing a 3-2 victory at Anfield.
It wasn’t just the captain’s goal that caught attention. Van Dijk bossed the pitch throughout, completing 85 passes — the highest of any player on the night — while also making eight crucial clearances, four of them in the air. Alongside him, Dominik Szoboszlai (72 passes) and Ibrahima Konaté (67) were also instrumental in keeping Liverpool composed against Diego Simeone’s side.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher didn’t hold back in his praise, insisting that Van Dijk’s impact has already cemented him among the very best in Liverpool’s history.
> “He’s not just one of the top defenders — he’s one of the greatest players to ever wear the Liverpool shirt,” Carragher said, placing Van Dijk in the same bracket as club icons like Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, and John Barnes.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be delighted with the win but may hope his team begins to see games off earlier, rather than relying on late winners as they have done several times this season. Still, the resilience and mentality that powered them to a Premier League title last term was on display again, with Van Dijk once more proving why he is captain.
Next up for Liverpool is the highly anticipated Merseyside Derby against Everton on 20 September — a match where fans will be eager to see if Slot’s men can secure a more comfortable victory.
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