On paper, it seemed a straightforward triumph for the Reds, however a stoppage-time goal from Virgil van Dijk sent Anfield wild with joy and made the struggle worthwhile.
Fast start puts Liverpool dominant
Andy Robertson along with Mohamed Salah each scored goals inside the initial stages, securing Jürgen Klopp’s men an ideal opening.
However the Spanish midfielder scored twice to revive the Madrid outfit, leading to a nail-biting finish.
Introduction of Swedish striker amid recent inactivity
Alexander Isak was handed his debut amid minimal match practice over the summer.
The fans longed to see a potential star in action, but his outing ended in the second half as expected.
The visitors’ response and climactic finish
Following Llorente’s equalizing strike was redirected behind Liverpool’s shot-stopper, the match appeared destined to finish level.
Yet the centre-back connected perfectly to guide his effort past Oblak in the dying moments of added time.
The winner triggered jubilant scenes from Liverpool fans, as Diego Simeone shown a red card after arguing following the goal.
A thriller that had all the elements – early goals, resilience, plus a spectacular winner.
