Diego Simeone explains what he said to Arne Slot after Liverpool late drama and red card

Diego Simeone told Arne Slot that Atletico Madrid could have secured a draw in their thrilling loss to Liverpool. The Spanish outfit succumbed to a late 3-2 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night during their Champions League clash.

Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah had appeared to set Liverpool on course for a straightforward victory with early goals, before Marcos Llorente drew level with a brace after the break. Virgil van Dijk ultimately sealed Liverpool's triumph with his injury-time winner.

Speaking afterwards, Atletico manager Simeone revealed to Slot that his team could have grabbed a point with further late heroics, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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Addressing Spanish television following the match, he explained: "The team reacted to a 2-0 deficit on a tough pitch, especially the first goal that bounced back and ended up becoming a goal, boosting the opponent's morale. We reacted to that dangerously tough 2-0 deficit, got into the game, fought hard, got the equaliser.

"I was saying to Slot it could have been 3-3 with Sorloth's shot at the end, and that's the way to go. In the Champions League, we're going to face opponents of this calibre, who are very good, and we showed that we're ready to compete."

Simeone found himself at the centre of a peculiar incident following Van Dijk's decisive goal as he received his marching orders after an altercation with a Liverpool supporter.

The Argentine has subsequently clarified the reasons behind his dismissal. He revealed: "They constantly speak about looking after one another, but they hurl abuse at you for the entire game and you cannot respond because you're the manager.

"My reaction was inexcusable, but do you understand what it's like to endure insults for 90 minutes, to turn around after the opposition scores and still face abuse? It's not that straightforward.

"[The referee told me] he understood me. 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.

"I'm not really going to get into the exact nature of the insults. I don't want to get involved in that. I have got to stay in my place, I know what went on behind the manager's bench.

"I can't solve society's problem in one press conference. I have to live with it as it exists all over the place all of the time."

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