Liverpool’s habit of scoring late winners has become a hallmark of their season, with Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute header against Atlético Madrid the latest in a series of dramatic climaxes. However, the Premier League champions’ reliance on last-gasp goals—having also beaten Newcastle in the 100th minute, Burnley in the 97th, and Bournemouth in the 94th—has raised questions about whether such a pattern is sustainable over a long campaign.
While the euphoria of late victories is addictive, the underlying issues are clear: Liverpool have squandered two-goal leads three times this season, against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Atlético. Defensive lapses allowed opponents back into matches, and despite their resilience, Arne Slot’s side have often needed late heroics to secure points. Van Dijk admitted the approach was “a little bit unnecessary,” stressing the need to kill games earlier.
Opponents are left exhausted by Liverpool’s relentless pressure, but the statistics reveal a lack of ruthlessness. Against Atlético, only six of 20 shots were on target; against Burnley, four of 27; and against Arsenal, three of nine. This inefficiency in front of goal has forced Liverpool to rely on set pieces and individual brilliance, such as Dominik Szoboszlai’s precise corners and Mohamed Salah’s dazzling form.
Slot remains confident that progress is being made, with new signings like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz showing promise. Isak, making his debut, struggled with fitness but offered glimpses of link-up play, while Wirtz looked comfortable in European competition. Once Isak is fully sharp—justifying his £125m price tag—Slot hopes to have a clinical finisher to settle games earlier.
For now, Liverpool’s late shows are thrilling but unsustainable. As Van Dijk noted, “We are still learning,” but the team must address their vulnerability after taking leads if they are to avoid relying on last-minute miracles throughout the season.
