Diego Simeone makes his return to Anfield just under a year since his last appearance in Merseyside devolved into chaos
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Diego Simeone, Manager / Head Coach of Atletico Madrid is restrained as he confronts fans after the late Liverpool winning goal during 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 Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Diego Simeone has quite the history with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
View 4 Images
Diego Simeone resumes his feisty rivalry with Liverpool as the Atletico Madrid manager following the bedlam that marred his last Anfield visit. Andoni Iraola's side kick off their Champions League campaign against the Spanish giants at home on Wednesday night.
The two European heavyweights have met several times in recent years, with their clashes always meeting expectations with displays of thrilling and intense football. They've met five times since Simeone's managerial appointment in 2011, with Liverpool winning three games to Atletico's two.
It'll be Simeone's first time managing against Iraola in Europe, having previously faced off against former Reds bosses Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. Pandemonium usually follows the legendary Argentine, especially when his side takes on the Merseyside giants. It's the second year in a row that the two clubs have met at Anfield and marks the newest chapter of Simeone's eventful history against Liverpool.
Simeone refuses handshake
Diego Simeone and Jurgen Klopp
Diego Simeone admitted he doesn't like handshakes(Image: getty images)
View 4 Images
Not many walk to the beat of their own drum, but Simeone is undoubtedly one of them. Handshakes between managers after full-time is customary in football; however, the Atletico boss wasn't afraid to reject Klopp's greeting after the Reds defeated his side at the Metropolitano Stadium in 2021.
The former Liverpool boss wasn't a fan of Simeone's refusal, who opened up about his dislike of shaking hands after matches. At the time, he said: "I've already explained myself after the first match. I don't like the handshake greetings after the match as they are the emotions of two different sides in different emotional minds.
"So I don't like that greeting after the match. I know in the UK it is a custom and all about chivalry, but I don't share it and I don't like the falseness. So I behave as I feel. I don't know Klopp as a person, but he is a great coach and has been great everywhere he has been. I don't give an opinion on other teams, we are coaches and we all have to respect that."
'Hurt' promise
Diego Pablo Simeone, head coach of Atletico de Madrid, attends his press conference
The Atletico manager previously promised to "hurt" Liverpool(Image: getty images)
View 4 Images
The Reds came out on top in their most recent meeting last year, as they bested Atletico 3-2 at Anfield. Liverpool had gone 2-0 up in the first six minutes through goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah.
However, the away side fought back with Marco Llorente's double as the Spanish side looked to have earned a point. But it was Virgil van Dijk who came to the rescue with a 92nd-minute winner. Before the pulsating clash, Simeone had vowed to "hurt" Liverpool in the game.
He said: "We need to look at the positive side. The players coming in have a chance to show what they can do. Missing players is part of the game. We are focused on the ones who can play tomorrow.
Content Image
Content Image
"We play against an extraordinary opponent in a magnificent stadium with unbelievable fans, a coach that took his team to the top level. They competed very well in the Champions League last season and won the league. We have a tough opponent but we will try to hurt them in the game tomorrow whenever we can."
Anfield chaos
Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone saw red after Virgil van Dijk scored a winner for Liverpool(Image: X)
View 4 Images
That same last-gasp header from the Dutchman resulted in Simeone losing his cool with Liverpool fans. The exuberant celebrations from Reds supporters saw the Argentine confront a horde of fans before he was handed a red card by the referee.
During his post-match press conference, Simeone claimed he had been "insulted" by fans and had urged Liverpool to punish the supporters who had allegedly hurled insults at him. He said: "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.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
"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."