Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool's 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Manager of Liverpool Arne Slot smiles before the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Arne Slot smiles before the Champions League match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid at Anfield
(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Arne Slot believes his Liverpool's players' superior fitness levels is what is driving them on to secure late victories after another stoppage-time goal sealed a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid. The Reds have triumphed in all five of their fixtures this term with late goals.
Incredibly, Dominik Szoboszlai's 83rd-minute effort against Arsenal last month is the earliest they have struck any of their decisive efforts.
After Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah had given the Reds an early lead over Diego Simeone's men, Marcos Llorente struck twice to set up another late show from Slot's side, with captain Virgil van Dijk heading in a 92-minute winner against los Rojiblancos.
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“It's the second year in a row that I celebrate my birthday on a Champions League night and the second in a row it is a nice present because we won them both," said Slot, who was turning 47. "It was another great night.
“This is what the format is about. This is what UEFA probably wanted, first game that could have been a quarter-final or semi-final, us playing really well, getting a lot of chances and then facing a mentality team like Atleti, they always find a way to come back in
“It was a great game to watch not only for us as Liverpool fans but for those who like to watch football. That’s part of our job.
“But a game like this should not have gone to a late game winner. It’s not easy to be at Atletico because of their mentality but I can come up with numerous moments where we could have scored the third one but didn’t, that’s different to the games against Burnley, Newcastle and Arsenal."
The Liverpool head coach added: “We are so fit that we are able to push one more time. I’m sure that we are not going to need every single game stoppage time.
“There will be games where we are 2-0 up after six minutes that we will score a third and won’t need stoppage time to get a late winner.
“There will be games where we need one in the last minute and we won’t get it. But our mentality is we will always push.
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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“It’s also about how fit we are and how well prepared we are that we are able to push one more time.
“Then it’s about the quality, the cross from Szoboszlai and the header from Virgil.
“It’s not the first time we have given away a two-goal lead. We weren’t known for doing that last season.
“There’s a lot to improve but there’s a lot to like as well."