Opponents faced with Liverpool's formidable fortress of invincibility are being compelled to surrender or succumb to defeat
Liverpool Continue Late Goal Rush with Van Dijk's Stoppage Time Winner in Champions League Opener
Liverpool extended their impressive run of scoring late goals in their Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid, thanks to a stoppage-time header from captain Virgil van Dijk.
The match, between two 'Pot 1' Champions League sides, saw Van Dijk complete the most passes, win seven out of eight duels, make seven clearances, and create one chance. His performance was a testament to his leadership, as he takes his role as captain seriously and inspires the rest of the squad.
Van Dijk's contract now runs to almost his 36th birthday, with Liverpool's centre-back partner Alexander Isak also having a long-term deal until 2031. This contract extension went somewhat under the radar at the end of last season.
The win continues Liverpool's run of scoring a winner in every football game this season, making it five consecutive games in which they have scored a goal after the 80th minute. This habit of scoring late goals has been a key factor in their success, reflecting the entertaining nature of their football, as praised by manager Arne Slot.
Slot also commented on the new format of the Champions League, expressing his satisfaction with the changes. Post-match, Van Dijk himself expressed confidence that the team is still learning and will get better with time. He believes the current iteration of the team is a work in progress, with many new signings to integrate, a new system, patterns, and understandings between team-mates to emerge.
Van Dijk's late winner puts him in an elite group of players who have scored 25 or more headers for their club since January 2018, across Europe's top five leagues. This achievement, coupled with his two title wins and one Champions League success, has earned him a ranking of no.13 in a list of the greatest Premier League players of all time on a specific website.
Bill Shankly, a former Liverpool manager, once declared that his goal was to mentally and physically beat opponents into submission. With their late goal against Atletico Madrid, it seems that Liverpool are well on their way to achieving this goal in the Champions League this season.
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