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Liverpool’s head coach, marking his forty-seventh birthday, could have been left aging rapidly as his squad put him through another nerve-shredding test once more.

Ultimately, though, the Merseyside club managed to secure a birthday win for their boss—after yet another stoppage-time excitement that has characterized their campaign so far.

It’s often said that a two-goal lead is a precarious advantage in the game, and Liverpool are giving it new meaning this season. They have let slip such a lead on multiple occasions already—versus Bournemouth and Newcastle United—and did so again here facing Atletico Madrid.

On every occasion, however, the Reds have bounced back from the brink to emerge victorious.

Such is the sheer force of will in Slot’s team, coupled with the power of their home ground on big occasions, that it felt somewhat destined about Virgil van Dijk’s powerful near-post finish late in added time.

Van Dijk’s injury-time winner was the latest goal Liverpool have scored in the 90th minute or later across all competitions, with the majority of their total second-half goals coming from the closing stages onward.

The manager was seen leaping for joy in his dugout once more, just as consistently done during Liverpool’s streak of dramatic victories. But even in triumph, he may prefer that Liverpool would not leave fans biting their fingernails before the final whistle.

Even Liverpool, for all their firepower, cannot forever execute these heroics. Such carelessness will worry Slot, even if they have shown repeatedly this year that they possess the character to recover.

“A game like this should not have needed to a last-gasp goal,” the manager said.

“I understand that’s the story of this game, but for me this was different from earlier performances. We created numerous great attacks where we could have scored a third goal.”

Attention on New Signing but Mo Salah Back to Top Form

All eyes were on £125m signing Alexander Isak as he made his Liverpool debut following his move from Newcastle.

He showed some sweet touches, although unsurprisingly he faded before coming off after an hour. The striker’s last club game was on 25 May, so it makes sense that the coaching staff are easing him with care—and the player looking rusty.

If Isak is an emerging Anfield superstar, among the old guard proved he is far from to step back just yet. The Egyptian winger shook off early-season sluggishness to return to his sparkling best.

He was a constant threat, even hitting the woodwork after the Atletico midfielder pulled one goal for the visitors.

Liverpool’s home has a special significance in the player’s heart after he also scored a brace when his team triumphed 3-2 in a European knockout tie in March 2020.

In the aftermath that win, Llorente named the dog he presented to his mom ‘Anfield’, and showed once more why this is his preferred venue with an equaliser with nine minutes from time.

Liverpool, true to recent form, were not to be denied.

On this occasion it was the centre-back who snatched the victory for his team—ensuring the manager’s birthday celebrations were capped by victory instead of a disappointing stalemate.

New Signing Eases Into Liverpool Life

Isak, understandably, was not quite from his best but displayed enough in his hour on pitch to offer a golden hint of the quality his future may hold.

Liverpool were actually two goals ahead before the debutant took his initial involvement after the opening phase, and it prompted nervous groans around Anfield when he was seen banging his hand on the turf in agony after a late challenge from Atletico centre-back Robin Le Normand.

He gradually worked his way into the game, but began to look leggy as the opening period ended. He emerged for the restart, but it was expected when he was withdrawn to a warm standing ovation before the hour.

Slot said: “Over the hour he was on, he seemed in good shape to me. It wasn’t as if within a short time he was already fatigued. He could perform at this level quite well after one or two weeks of team sessions.”

“He can play football and he’s a joy to watch. It’s not a surprise. He was in better condition than I expected, however the fans can’t get their hopes too high. We play three times a week and that’s a bit demanding for him still.”

“We have a pair of great number nines [Isak and Hugo Ekitike] and we’re going to utilize both of them over their time here.”

The Swede had two shots that forced saves from Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but the most significant takeaway was his link-up with fellow new signing, £116m playmaker Wirtz.

They combined beautifully in the first half to set up a chance for Frimpong, which he could not convert, then Isak’s instinctive flick—with his back to goal and blind—was played perfectly into the German’s path, bringing roars of approval from the fans.

The duo combined nine times in the game, this early sample of their partnership indicating they will be a formidable asset in Liverpool’s armoury.

It was a quiet start for Isak—but sufficient to show what he can bring.