Simeone blames fan row after Liverpool winner on ‘getting insulted all game’

Diego Simeone loses his cool after Virgil van Dijk’s late header wins the game for Liverpool

Diego Simeone said he gave a “human” reaction when he confronted a fan after Liverpool scored a 92nd-minute winner to defeat Atlético Madrid 3-2.

The Atlético head coach, who was dismissed by the referee, claimed he received constant abuse throughout the match and his emotions boiled over after Virgil van Dijk’s goal.

Virgil van Dijk celebrates after heading in the winner in second-half injury time

Simeone would have hoped to leave Anfield with a draw after Marcos Llorente’s double brought his side level, having gone behind to goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, but the Liverpool captain ensured it was not to be. “We are in a place where we don’t have a right to reply or react and it is never good when we react as managers,” Simeone said. “But if there are comments against us, racism or insults, we can get angry or fight back so when we are getting insulted all the game, when they scored the third goal, he turned round and insulted me. I am a person, I am human.”

Simeone, who did not specify the comments were racist, said: “I am not going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don’t want to get involved in that discussion. I have got to stay in my place. I know what went on behind the manager’s bench. I can’t solve society’s problems in one press conference. I have to live with it.”

It is the fifth time in as many games this season Liverpool have required a late goal to win, producing an ideal way to mark Arne Slot’s 47th birthday. “You’re never 100% sure, but what I do know is that we are so fit that we are able to push one more time,” Slot said.

“What I can assure you, even if we don’t score, we will try to push for it. That is the mentality this team has, but it should not only be about mentality, it’s also how fit we are, how well prepared we are throughout the last few weeksthat they are able to push one more time.

“It’s the second year in a row that I had to celebrate my birthday on a Champions League night and the second time in a row that the players gave me a nice present, because we won them both, but I would like to ask Uefa if next year I can celebrate my birthday with my friends and family.”