Arne Slot has no hair left to lose however the man celebrating his forty seventh birthday may need been left feeling a couple of years older as his Liverpool group put him by way of the wringer once more.

In the long run, nonetheless, Liverpool have been capable of make it many completely happy returns for his or her head coach – however not earlier than one other dose of late drama that has characterised their successful begin to this season.

The outdated cliche that 2-0 is probably the most harmful lead in soccer is being given new that means by Liverpool, who’ve misplaced this benefit twice within the Premier League this season – to Bournemouth and Newcastle United – and did so once more in opposition to Atletico Madrid within the Champions League.

On every event, nonetheless, Liverpool have pulled again from the brink to win.

Such is the sheer pressure of will in Slot’s facet, in addition to the ability of Anfield on Champions League nights, that there was virtually an inevitability about Virgil van Dijk’s towering header deep into stoppage time that enabled Liverpool to open their Champions League with victory.

The Dutchman’s 93rd-minute winner was the fourth objective Liverpool have scored within the ninetieth minute or later throughout all competitions this season, with six of their eight second-half objectives this season being scored from the 88th minute onwards.

Slot was capable of have fun wildly in his technical space as soon as extra, as he has carried out as Liverpool have gained all their video games this season within the final 10 minutes and into stoppage time, however even in triumph he should want that Liverpool wouldn’t go away him and their followers knee-deep in chewed fingernails earlier than they’ll have fun.

Even Liverpool, for all their attacking prowess, will be unable to carry out this trick each time. Their carelessness will likely be a priority for Slot, even when they’ve proven 5 occasions this season that they’ve what it takes to drag themselves out of hassle.

“A sport like this could not have gone to a late winner,” Slot mentioned.

“I perceive that is the story of this sport and the final 5 video games, however for me it’s a completely different sport than those we performed earlier than. We had so many nice assaults right now the place we might have scored the third objective.”