Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has delivered a blistering assessment of Atletico Madrid's conduct, labelling their dramatic antics during Wednesday's Champions League clash as "disgusting" and a blight on the beautiful game.
The Dutch defender did not hold back in his post-match comments following a pulsating 3-2 defeat at the Metropolitano Stadium, a result that saw the Spanish side progress to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
A Night of Frustration in Madrid
Despite taking an early lead through an own goal, Jurgen Klopp's men were ultimately undone by a clinical Atletico performance and a series of incidents that infuriated the travelling Reds. Van Dijk expressed his immense frustration at the constant simulation and time-wasting tactics employed by Diego Simeone's players.
"Perhaps I shouldn't say it, but it's disgusting," the centre-back stated. "The way they were falling over, getting the referee to stop the game... it was so obvious. We knew this would be part of the game, but it's so frustrating to play against."
Isak's Impact and Griezmann's Decisive Role
While the post-match focus centred on controversy, the football itself was electrifying. Former Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak, introduced as a second-half substitute, proved to be a catalyst for the home side. His direct running and assist for Antoine Griezmann's crucial goal swung the momentum decisively in Atletico's favour.
Griezmann was the undisputed star of the show, netting a brilliant brace to effectively seal the tie before Depay's late consolation goal for Liverpool.
Anfield's European Journey Ends
The defeat marks a bitter end to Liverpool's European campaign for this season. Having shown moments of their trademark attacking verve, the overriding feeling was one of injustice. Van Dijk's comments reflect a wider sentiment that Spanish sides often employ such tactics to gain an upper hand in key European fixtures.
All eyes will now be on UEFA to see if any action is taken regarding the simulation, though retrospective punishment in such cases remains rare. For Liverpool, focus must now shift entirely to their intense Premier League title race with Arsenal and Manchester City.
