Liverpool back to their title-winning form in win over Atletico Madrid

The first half, in particular, was classic Liverpool – and it felt like we really were back in 2019-20, before the pandemic darkened our days.

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (centre) heads towards goal

Liverpool’s historic champions may have taken a mini-break in season 2020-21 but there’s absolutely no doubt the feelgood factor is back at Anfield now after another strong European performance - and no limit to where their upwards trajectory can take them.

A 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, which takes Jurgen Klopp’s side into the knockout stages as group winners with two group fixtures to spare, was a poignant one in many ways.