Liverpool news: Reds set for Champions League boost after Diego Simeone chaos

Liverpool left it dangerously late once again to take all three points as a pinpoint Virgil van Dijk headergifted the Reds a win against Atletico Madrid in their opening Champions League game of the season on Wednesday evening. Arne Slot's side looked to be cruising thanks to early goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah.

Yet, as with Liverpool's penchant for drama recently, the Premier League champions squandered their advantage as a Marcos Llorente double clawed Diego Simeone's side back into the tie.

For the fifth game straight, the Reds were bailed out by a late winner, this time courtesy of their talismanic captain. Reds' fans will be now pleading for just one normal day of football, but that hasn't arrived just yet.

With Atletico boss Diego Simeone being at the heart of a controversial stand-off with a fan in the Champions League tie and a healthy cash boost on the way for Slot, Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest news from Anfield.

Champions League cash boost

The new-look Champions League format is now in its second year and with it has come a huge cash boost for the clubs involved. Prize money has increased by a third this season.

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk shares Alexander Isak advice at Liverpool and admits 'unnecessary' problem

READ MORE: UEFA consider investigation after Atletico Madrid staff member 'spits at Liverpool fans'

The total prize is now up to £2.06billion, compared to £1.74bn in the previous format. Such is the financial incentive, that every club that qualifies earns £15.7million, despite the quality of their performance in the league phase.

At the current stage, every win earns a club £1.8m and a draw will bag teams £590,000. Liverpool banked £1.8m for their win on Wednesday, while eight wins in the group stage will see them take home a cool £14.4m.

Each team who finished in the top eight of the league phase will also be given £1.7m by UEFA. This gives Slot's team major motivation to replicate last season's efforts where they won the league phase.

Simeone hits back

Simeone has responded to his clash with Liverpool fans in the aftermath of Van Dijk's stoppage time winner. The unsavoury incident saw the Argentinian shown a red card by the referee.

Afterwards, Simeone explained to the press why he reacted in an angry manner toward fans. "They always talk about taking care of each other, but they insult you throughout the entire match and you can't say anything because you're the manager," he said.

"My reaction was unjustifiable, but do you know what it's like to be insulted for 90 minutes, to turn around after the opponent scores and still be insulted? It's not that easy. (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."

However, UEFA is now set to launch a probe after the incident. Action could be taken after an Atletico Madrid staff member wasallegedly caught on cameraspitting towards Liverpool fans in the furore.

Jamie Carragher's two-word response

Liverpool icon Carragher only needed two words to sum up Liverpool's late win on Wednesday night. In all five games this season, Liverpool have scored their winning goal in either the 83rd minute or beyond.

Their wins at the death have spurred on rival fans to claim Liverpool are lucky. However, the former Reds defender played up to Liverpool's last-minute fortune with a tongue in cheek social post, writing: "Devil's club," followed by five laughing emojis.

While some of the Kop faithful, and Carragher, may be enjoying the late drama, goalscorer Robertson isn't much of a fan. "I think we need to maybe get back to winning a bit simpler and a bit easier," he told after the game.

Liverpool head coach Slot concurred, adding: "I think that's what we showed again today, that we can beat them also by mentality. But I think we should have made it easier for ourselves."

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