Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone calls for more protection after Liverpool scuffle

LONDON – Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone called for coaches to be offered more protection from supporter abuse after being sent off for a furious reaction towards Liverpool fans at Anfield on Sept 17.

The 55-year-old confronted supporters behind his dugout after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk headed in a 92nd-minute winner as the Reds edged out a dramatic Champions League opener 3-2.

Atletico’s combustible coach admitted he should not have reacted but said coaches should also benefit from similar campaigns aimed at driving racism out of football.

“In the same way we fight against racism, we should look at this too because we don’t have a right to respond and it is not easy to be insulted during the entire match,” said Simeone.

“My reaction isn’t justifiable, but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes?

“I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences.

“There were insults throughout the match, including gestures. It’s clear that I’m the one who has to stay calm, I have to put up with the insults, the gestures and any situation because I’m in a position where I have to put up with it.”

Simeone appeared to be demanding the removal of one fan in particular, even after he was shown a red card by Italian referee Maurizio Mariani.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot said he hoped the focus would be on a “great” match, rather than the incident after the winning goal.

Slot’s men have now won all their opening five English Premier League and Champions League games with goals scored after the 80th minute.

The Dutch manager paid tribute to his side’s fitness levels as well as their mentality and quality for finding a way to win.

“It is not only mentality, it’s also how fit we are, how well-prepared we are, that they are able to push one more time,” said Slot, 47.

Liverpool looked on course to wipe the floor with the struggling Spanish side after scoring twice in the opening six minutes.

Mohamed Salah outshone Alexander Isak on his first Liverpool start as his free kick deflected in off Andy Robertson for the first goal, before the Egyptian fired home the second himself.

Marcos Llorente was the scourge of Liverpool in 2020 as Atletico came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Anfield in a contentious last-16 tie. This time around he bagged a double, before van Dijk’s late winner.

Slot said he was “disappointed” to have needed another late winner on a night when Liverpool’s new-look attack, that included a first start for British transfer record signing Isak, clicked into gear.

“This is what the new (Champions League) format is about, a first game in a group stage that could be a quarter-final or a semi-final,” he added.

“A game like this should not have gone to a late game winner.

“I understand that’s the story of this game and the last five games, but for me, it is a different game than the ones we played before. We had so many great attacks today where we could have scored the third goal.”

Robertson said Liverpool need to get back to winning “simpler”.

“It’s a great thing to keep going right to the end, but when you are 2-0 up and playing so well, it should have been a more comfortable night,” he said. AFP, REUTERS