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Cliffhangers are fun but Slot knows Liverpool's late show cannot continue
The Guardian
|September 19, 2025
While they keep finding a way to win, blowing leads and a lack of ruthlessness are not signs of a successful season
The feeling of euphoria that comes with a late winner is addictive, as Liverpool have found out, but it is not a sustainable plan.
Virgil van Dijk was the fifth player to settle a match in dramatic fashion in as many games for the Premier League champions this season but his 92nd-minute goal against Atlético Madrid was only the fourth-latest in the team's series of extraordinary climaxes.
It had a familiar ring: Rio Ngumoha downed Newcastle in the 100th minute and Mohamed Salah slammed home a penalty in the 97th to break Burnley hearts, having scored in the 94th minute against Bournemouth to seal that 4-2 victory. The more crushing blow for Bournemouth had been delivered by Federico Chiesa in the 88th minute. A relatively early winner at home to Arsenal came in the 83rd minute.
What Liverpool have achieved in the opening weeks will make opponents fearful. Burnley fought for a full match, but it was not enough; Atlético conceded twice in the opening six minutes and came back to stand on the verge of a point but departed with nothing.
This story is from the September 19, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
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